Progressive metal act Animals as Leaders may not exactly be a household name, but those that know will tell you that they are a collection of some of the most capable musicians in the alternative music world. Mestis are the new project of guitarist Javier Reyes, and their debut album is simply stunning.
Their style is less metal-orientated than their forebears and is so creative that it has an almost alien, otherworldly feel to it. Delightfully inventive and atmospheric, it weaves impossible patterns which seem to somehow resolve themselves into glorious melodies.
The intensity and complexity of it is hard to get your head around, but this is not impenetrable, elitist music. ‘Menos Mal’ has an upbeat, feel-good vibe to it, whilst ‘Mt Pleasant’ sounds like a futuristic Pink Floyd.
The tracks spill into each other like an ongoing story, and listening to the album right through is a genuine sensory experience. Honestly, some of the basslines are so fast and varied you will wonder how it’s possible a human created them.
Mestis are something quite different from anything out there and a joy for anyone who loves to hear the envelope being pushed to the back of beyond.
4/5
‘Polysemy’ by Mestis is out now on Sumerian Records.
Mestis links: Facebook
Words by Alex Phelan (@listen_to_alex)
