Aussie proggists Teramaze are incredible; Purveyors of some of the most absorbing, thrilling music known to man, music so dense in ideas that each song they write would keep less talented bands occupied over the course of an entire album, they are on the verge of releasing their fifth full-length album since 2019! (Pedants might argue that last year’s Sorella Minore was an EP but it was thirty eight minutes in duration so they can shut up).

Perhaps more incredible is that, just like the four preceding releases, there is not one moment wasted on Flight Of The Wounded. Every note counts towards the grand scheme, every vocal phrase is crafted for maximum impact, every riff aimed right at the solar plexus. Once again, vocalist/guitarist/band leading light Dean Wells has hit creative paydirt.

And then some.

Wells himself claims that Flight Of The Wounded may well be Teramaze’s best ever; I’m not going to comment on that , because, quite frankly, I can’t tell you whether it’s a valid assertion to make or not. What I will say is that, on superb tracks like The Thieves Are Out and Until The Lights, Teramaze continue to make vital, exuberant progressive metal that few bands toiling in their wake in the genre could even dream of creating.

Wells and guitar foil Chris Zoupa are in fine form throughout, creating a series of taut, brooding soundscapes where riffs morph from second to second, creating maelstromic formations over which Wells’ soulful vocals soar majestically from carefully crafted hook to carefully crafted hook; It’s a heady mix of barely-restrained power and, come solo time, exuberant showmanship that will bring a smile to the face of anyone with the time to simply stop and wallow in the magnificence of it all.

Standout track Ticket To The Next Apocalypse rolls the whole world of Teramaze up into one easily digestible, eight minute gobbet; Chugging axes usher the song in, giving way to supremely soulful vocals which in turn surrender to a delightfully fluid solo section which dances across the listener’s consciousness before a brief diversion into death metal breaks the mood momentarily… each part segues smoothly, each part taking the song to it’s next level before the band unite to bring the song home in beautiful synergy. It’s wonderful stuff.

Despite the Stakhanovite work ethic, Teramaze show no signs of either repetition or fatigue on Flight of the Wounded; They continue to produce progressive heavy metal of the very highest order, a fact for which we should be very thankful indeed. Essential listening.

Flight of the Wounded releases on October 6th.