27. Cog- The New Normal


Cog have been around for a while, released two outstanding EPs and a single (including a cover of Leftfield/Lydon's Open Up) and stepped up this year to the full album ranks. The band wrought symphonic arranged metal with a Tool-like propensity into solid songs or longer epics. You can make many references to their sound and the thing is that there are many but with this band it doesn't matter. The shorter songs like Run, Resonate and My Enemy do go for the immediate impact and do it well, but my favourite tracks are the more time consuming and intense The Spine and the 10-minute masterpiece Doors (Now And Then My Life Feels Like It's Going Nowhere) where technical metal, prog and hardrock interlope and showcase the abilities of this three man band- especially drummer Lucius Borich is freakishly good. Live the band surpasses even this album, which is the best way to hear this band...don't miss 'em when they're playing near you.