Reviewed by Paul S Ganney

XIII Minutes are a band from Tulsa, Oklahoma and this, their debut album through Rottweiler Records, features theatric metal rhythms that reminded me of Dream Theatre in places, and two vocalists, one singing and one doing the guttural (but not grating) delivery. The interchanges complement the shifting music well. The guitar-driven rhythms, riffs and themes are nicely overlaid in order to create a very powerful whole. I loved the riffs on "Blue Flame" and "Obsessed" and the bass guitar work on "Water Vice" made me take notice as it shifted effortlessly from driving headlong to a brief punctuating foreground riff and back again. The gentler (for this band - there is still an undercurrent of power and potential menace about it) "Out Of Time" gives the sung vocal a chance to shine, with a nice guest singer to bounce off as well. Lyrically they're solidly faith-based, clearly heard on songs such as "Reckless Love" about the love of God, touching on the idea of being sought for by God as well as Jesus' sacrifice for us. It's a track that also builds beautifully as it emphasises its theme, working its way through the dramatic, the powerful and the powerfully dramatic, closing the album on the chorally sung "I don't deserve it". Solid, powerful and excellently put together.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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