Doug Harrison, the singer and guitarist of Canadian rock band Fen, launched a solo project in 2014 named Slug Comparisonto go in at the deep end of metal-tinged progressive rock. His new album A Battle to the End Fought on the Edge of a Knife is a journey through darkness, with only the aid of drummer of Flavio Cirillo (Art of Dying, Puddle of Mud) to bring the tracks to life. Harrison's skills as a guitarist and bass player, plus a way above average knowledge of programming, enabled him to make the songs sound like a full band having a blast.
Whether he goes fast (Outta the Jam) or takes it down a notch in the self-deprecating title track when he describes his job as punching in numbers into a blue screen with the great line "I want to die with only minor regrets". The highlight is a twisted power ballad about to having much too much of a good thing (Too Much Love).
Whatever he goes on about, Harrison never misses the opportunity to throw in a couple of smart chord changes or rhythmic shifts, preferably both of them. This is a record for musos first, but it is fine for those who are not about dissecting the music to enjoy it as such. Recommended if you like Deadwing-era Porcupine Tree.
A Battle to the End Fought on the Edge of a Knife is a self-released album (CD, digital). Buy it from his website. Release date: May 9.
Tracks:- Wish to Adapt
- March through the Forest
- Game of Repression
- Undead Plots
- Outta the Jam
- A Battle to the End Fought on the Edge of the Knife
- Too Much Love
- Metal Roots Came Twisting
- Played for a Centipede
- Of Being Apart
- Hamsters in a Tub
- 07/19 Dunnenzies, Kelowna
- 08/22 Outdoor Festival, Gabriola Island (w/ Sixpoints & Sharka)
- 11/22 Haus of Owl, Victoria (w/ Sixpoints)
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