Umpfel - As the Waters Cover the Sea Review (2019)

Genre(s): Modern Progressive Metal

Starter Tracks: Burning Water, Shofar, As the Waters Cover the Sea

Label: Independent

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Review: Umpfel, a baby-faced two-piece Norwegian progressive metal act, is the future of progressive metal and the future is going to blow our minds. On As the Waters Cover the Sea, Umpfel combine tight stop-and-start-on-a-dime technicality and harmonic intrigue to craft modern progressive metal that genuinely pushes the envelope.

The record is well balanced between heavier and melodic passages. Although, even the heavier passages are saturated in melody and jazzy harmonies. While I can't say that every musical idea on this record resonated with me subjectively, nearly every track features some passage that snagged my attention and adoration.

Assuming the group and their sound gain more traction in the years ahead, I believe Umpfel will be seen as the progenitors of a kind of post-djent sound that utilizes even greater jazz and fusion inspired harmonic and rhythmic experimentation while still not sacrificing on songcraft and listenability. Here's to the future...