Shapeshifting instrumental trio raise their game on second album.
Divided By Design made a subtle stamp on a crowded instrumental rock scene in 2020 with their debut album Stages To Osiris, but the Leeds trio have bigger things in mind second time around. Irretraceable Steps refines their songwriting and production, and it’s a sound reliant on tricky interplay and fluid leads giving colour to the math rock tapestry.
With the album devoid of a unique selling point, this isn’t going to scoop any end of year awards, but there are a few gems among the eight-strong tracklist. The Fine Line advances confidently into Dream Theater-esque fretplay, shimmering keys and strident snare shots, while N2H4 juggles power-metal gusto and Liam Stephenson’s succulent guitar work, all married to keyboard programming.
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Prog (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 129