“This is broad reaching progressive metal that exhibits a gleeful disregard for traditional limits and a satisfyingly unpredictable melodic sensibility that glues the remarkably accomplished individual performances together.”
– Metal Hammer

Hailing from the U.A.E, progressive metal quintet ANURYZM are now ready to release their second full length album ‘All Is Not For All’, due out on June 15th, via Melodic Revolution Records. Following on from their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Worm’s Eye View’, which was released in 2011, the new album is an uncompromising assemblage of carefully calculated instrumentation and masterful composition, which sees the band develop on their already lauded and esoteric approach to the metal genre.

Formed in Lebanon in 2003, the band now reside in Abu Dhabi and have performed extensively in and around the local & regional scenes, sharing the stage with renowned artists such as Black Sabbath, Avenged Sevenfold, Yngwie Malmsteen, Scorpions, Nightwish, Epica, Dark Tranquillity, Orphaned Land, Myrath, and many others.

‘All Is Not For All’ is a consummate collection of visceral and polished tracks, which effortlessly coalesces elements of power metal, death metal, thrash and prog. The lead track, ‘Humanoid’ is the perfect introduction to the new album; combining abrasive tech guitar riffs with vacillating harmonious yet caustic vocals. The track glides effortlessly through euphonious and symphonic synth and acoustic sections, at times even incorporating anomalous traces of eastern and jazz like arrangements.

There are clear influences from the likes of Opeth and Dream Theater strewn throughout the album, however there is an underlying familiarity in its conformation, which also calls to mind classic thrash bands such as Exodus, Testament and Iced Earth. It’s an incredibly compelling listen, which despite its sometimes disparate arrangements, is entirely beguiling in its methodical yet aberrant composition.

Additionally, the band have raised an army of venerable musicians from the metal world to take up arms on the new album with guest collaborations from the likes of Michael Lepond (Symphony X), Uri Dijk (Textures & Ethereal), Charlie Zeleny (Whiplash), and interestingly, Christopher Chaplin (the youngest son of the late icon Charlie Chaplin) who plays Cello on ‘Oceans Apart’. The album was also mastered by recording legend Bob Katz (three time Grammy award winning audio mastering engineer).

According to the band, thematically, “The album’s songs span a variety of topics including humbleness, nanotechnology, illness, astral projection, extraterrestrial encounters, love, longing and remorse, third culture upbringing, displacement and Japanese warrior code (Bushido,) to name a few.”

Whilst the value of performing arts may have diminished in the Middle East over time, it is clear that the quality has not. With a strong track record as a viable progressive metal contender from the Middle East, Anuryzm have proven that we should all be paying attention and if you haven’t been there is no better time to start than now.

Depolarized:

Humanoid: