CALIGULA’S HORSE

Rise Radiant

INSIDE OUT MUSIC

Caligula’s Horse usually find themselves flying under the progressive metal banner, but their fifth album suggests that tag may no longer be broad enough to describe their developing sound. There are tracks on that certainly fit the is one fine example–but they join Leprous and Haken in refusing to be bound by prog metal’s proclivity towards musical machismo and any need to indulge in virtuosity for its own sake. Here, the quintet prove admirably that they’re willing and able to explore subtlety and introspection. There are moments of quiet beauty, found in the elegance of and , both of which allow vocalist Jim Grey to display his range and control, using his upper register and vibrato to emotive effect.