Instrumental progressive metal is a tough genre to tackle. If you’re not playing it well, there’s not much to talk about or listen to, but if you do it right there’s a high ceiling on where it can take you. On their debut full length album Trees on Mars play to impress by creating intriguing sonic landscapes just as expected following up their first EP.
For their debut album Trees on Mars held nothing back. In March of 2014 the Columbia, SC band took off to record two weeks in Florida at Audiohammer Studios with producer Eyal Levi, a studio and producer fit that couldn’t have been more perfect for the band. Levi’s death metal background and keen ear for music composition falls in line with Trees on Mars carefully constructed and melodically driven songs. Compositions that focus on intricate guitar work that always seems fitting for the song and never in a boastful strutting way.
The first half of the album plays aggressive and precise, with interweaving guitars heavily reliant on melody and structure. It’s this sense of melody that broadens the Trees on Mars audience outside of the metal umbrella. It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re listening through the album and get lost in the pure emotion of it all. They tend to lean away from abrasive and more towards clean and crisp tones and more comfortable western notes.
One of the clear highlights of the album comes in the form of a guest solo from early twenties Australian guitar/composer phenom Plini whose guest solo in “Ode to the Vulture” dazzles with bends and emotional phrasings. Trees on Mars bassist Scott Barber first found Plini’s work on a music forum where he kept in regular contact with the guitarist, in addition to having worked on several things that haven’t been released. Plini gladly accepted the opportunity to guest solo on the new album, and via modern recording technology the Australian guitarist recorded the solo at home and sent it over.
Knowing how well Trees on Mars pulls these songs off live, it’s hard to find holes in this album. The Sapling is clean and tight just like it should be, setting roots and paving a road for a future that shows room for growth from the band stylistically. It’s exciting to look forward and see how this band can push the envelope in the future and prove truth to their progressive labeling.