Finnish Prog Metallers Pressure Point release follow up single to ‘The Chase’.

Review By Phil M

Hot on the heels of their single ‘The Chase’, released back in September, (accompanied by video directed by Teppo Ristola), comes Pressure Point’s latest offering ‘Shapeless’. Founded in Finland the band have been busy working on their fourth album and continuing to tour.

The band were formed some 20 years back by drummer Vili Auvinen in Heinola, Finland and have been plying their take on melodic, progressive metal since. The track starts out with gently plucked melodic guitar and harmony vocals accompanied by piano. This gives way to distorted guitars before launching into much darker, growled lyrics leading into a catchy chorus. The interplay between the growling and the harmonies works particularly well, as does the changes in tempos and beats. This is pretty much everything that you could want from a decent prog-metal track. It has much in common with other greats of the genre – think Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater etc.

Of the track, Auvinen has this to say: “Shapeless captures the wide spectrum of musical styles we explore. It transitions seamlessly from a mellow intro to arena-rock-inspired 80s metal riffs, and from groovy, hard-hitting death metal passages to catchy, pop-infused rock choruses. Blend all of this with the distinct Pressure Points touch, and you get a modern progressive pop-metal anthem.”

Personnel:

Juha Tretjakov – Vocals

Veli-Matti Kyllönen – Keyboards & backing vocals

Kari Olli – Guitar

Vili Auvinen – Drums

Janne Parikka – Bass

Session members:

Juho Helppi – Rhythm guitar

Saku Aaltonen – Rhythm guitar & backing vocals