Well, this was a wild and exhilarating ride.

I didn't think I liked "scream-o" vocalists--until now. Jon Mess's voice is more like an overdriven electronic instrument--more supple and varied than mere screaming. But Will Swan's guitar work was phenomenal--he plays with the precision of not just prog metal guitar heroes but the more restrained, formal prog guitarists as well. And the chemistry between the players here is amazing. Although they'd probably be fascinating live, I'd really like to see them laying down tracks in a studio.

Just when I had settled into the band, so that the next-to-the-last track was starting to sound "normal," Swan switched to a (relatively) quiet, almost post-rock guitar interlude--then back to the "normal." What a genius.

I still don't know enough about hardcore or post hardcore to say I'm a fan, but you've definitely won a convert over to Secret Band--whatever genre they are. Many thanks for the discovery.