Skullgrid is the second offering by Behold…The Arctopus on the Metal Blade records label. A trio from Brooklyn, New York, B.T.A. composes and plays instrumental music that has been labeled tech metal, but that doesn’t come close to describing what you’ll hear inside. Outside, the striking cover art is by Terry Grow, but inside, the seven tracks are by Mike Lerner, Colin Marston, and Charlie Zeleny . Online video website detractors are quick to point out the band’s atonal progressions and rapid timing changes, completely missing the subtleties. While the band certainly leaves a path of spent note carnage in their wake, on tracks like "Canada" they paint a Wagnerian landscape of ice and tundra, while on "Transient Exuberance" there are open spaces and interesting drum transitions. The songs are thick and complex, as well as insanely fast.

I spoke with Charlie Z, who was on tour with the band, about the song writing process;  "All the parts are written out completely before going into the studio, including the drum parts, though we might tweak a few things to make it more playable".

Though Mike is the main composer, all the band members contributed to Skullgrid.  "Even though the music has a sense of groove and a loose quality, it’s all composed in advance, a contrived looseness", says Charlie.  That sense of jazz and jam is most evident on compositions like "Scepters" and the title track "Skullgrid". Songs flow from one to another in a way that makes the entire recording a complete work of art, meant to be listened to as a whole.

Mike Lerner plays an early eighties Ibanez axe in a standard tuning to amazing effect.  On the "Warr" guitar is Colin Marston. The Warr is a tap type instrument that allows Colin to add bass tones as well as his guitar riffs.

Charlie Zeleny is a session drummer with serious jazz chops. His kit is surprisingly minimal, given the depth of the material, no gimmicks, more Charlie Watts than Neil Peart.

All the band members have diverse musical backgrounds and education, with influences ranging from heavy metal, jazz, Phish and classical, blended together seamlessly.

Skullgrid is for musically mature ears. Those who listen to Behold…The Arctopus will be rewarded with a unique listening experience.  I suggest a dark room, comfortable chair, and nice set of headphones