enjoyed this music style

Absolutely AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Estrum is an unsigned band based in Austin, Texas, USA. Why they are still unsigned is bewildering. It could be because it is hard to label the genre of music they play. There music encompases a wide range of styles, including hard rock, metal, blues, jazz, Spanish classical, and even tribal-inspired drumming. Zena McKeloy's performance on this CD is a showcase of her divaesque talents, showing a huge vocal range and sultry, yet, dark, melodies. A Comforting Psychosis is their first full-lengthed CD and is comprised of nine roller coaster songs which will leave you breathless, speachless, and worn out at the end of the ride. The track listing is as follows: 1) Disassociation-a pure rock song with intricate guitar work throughout the bridge and a blistering guitar solo which ends in a frenzy of power chords as Zena slides up and down the vocal scale until the song's end. 2) Blue Line-my favorite track on the CD! Beautiful vocals with a soft jazz-like guitar feel. This song is a harmony of light and dark. As with all the songs on the CD there is a tug of war between ballad and rock. There is a thumping double bass drum that rounds out the song. 3) Abiosis-haunting, but dark vocals. Great guitar work on this song. 4) All I Need-pretty piano intro with a powerful bass line. Zena again shows off her vocal strength here. 5) Yours-very melodic, with an underlying bass line and bass solo. 6) The Game-acoustic and classical guitar highlight this song. There is also a jazzy guitar and piano solo. 7) Waste-power chord intro with an industrial feel. Shredding guitar solo. 8) Those Who Bellow Grief and Tears-instrumental song, reminiscent of the band Yes. All of the above mentioned genres are infused in this song as each member showcases a solo. This song brings the whole CD together before the last ride. 9) Narcolepsy-another beautiful song, and appropriately named. At the end of the CD I was worn out and ready for a nap! As I said before, A Comforting Psychosis is a roller coaster ride. In every song there are time changes, slow tempos, and fast tempos. The ride is dark and emotional, but you want to get back in line. Each member of Estrum is extremely talented, and this CD shows off their individual and collective talents. This is a band on the rise to stardom! Check them out on myspace or on their official web site. Peace! Steve

"A Comforting Psychosis" will satisfy the music listener who's long grown tired of listening to rock radio or should I say commercials and bands that are basically commercials instead of great music. If you wanna hear creativity, pure talent, and awesome melodies, don't miss out on this outstanding debut album from beginning to end. The Estrum lineup consists of 6 massively talented musicians, Zena Mckelvy (vocals) Jason Rufuss Sewell (guitar) Jordan Peterson (guitar) Erik Christianson (keys) Jhon Bellizia (bass) Brian McClain (drums). Here consists a group with a broad range of styles and influences that seem to gel together perfectly. They mesh to form a non genre specific type of heavy rock the way it should be. This formula keeps things fresh and also allows them to create and play what they feel. Like some of the great bands of the 70's, Estrum's new full length album will not tire your ears, there's much variety, songs have individuality memorable melodies, and loads of ambient dynamic production. There's a definite progressive feel at times, but its not your endless "show off your talent" 20 minute solo that only satisfies listeners that are musicians. Thankfully it's all about the songs here, and it shows with the excellent songwriting skills of Mckelvy and Sewell. I will now try to BRIEFLY review each song on the album. Track 1 "Disassociation" the perfect album opener which immediately defines Estrum's niche in modern day rock music. You will instantly pick up on Zena's soulful melodies and unique multi charactered voice that says Estrum. The music is full on with a 2 guitar lineup and keyboards adding the atmosphere and orchestral type feel. Filled with dynamic breakdowns, unpredictable guitar solos, syncopated rhythms, and an ultra precise bass guitar and drum bottom end, this opener kicks its finish off with some wickedly powerful vocals....yes! Track 2 "Blue Line" starts with a softer 70's kinda vibe with mysterious colorful lyrics and a beautiful sweet voice as it climbs and climbs into a heavy chorus that is very moving and memorable, very nice use of ambient guitar effects blending in with the keyboards, I'm also hearing whats sounds like fretless bass. Nice combination all around. Track 3 "Abiosis" dark and eerie just the way it should be, this song is beautifully creepy with Zena's awesome low register verses contrasting with the clean higher register chorus. The lyrics portray great visuals as you get lured in and feel as if they were written for the listener. Peterson's guitar solo shreds right through the speakers as Bellizia's clear and distinct bass brings the song right back into form. This is the first song I heard by Estrum, and I consider it a classic! Track 4 "All I Need" All i need is this song to play over and over and everything would be alright. This is a slightly softer side of Estrum, almost ballad like, but you never know where they will take you. Zena's voice will especially melt you into a puddle of mush on this number, this is PASSIONATE vocals at its finest. It's not just her awesome technique of jumping registers from head voice and back down, it's also the shear amount of soul and melody she's pouring out vocally. Listening to this song, puts me into another dimension without ingesting anything! This track proceeds to buildup like a machine as the vocals get incredibly powerful...........so sweet. Track 5 "Yours" Starts with a bizarre sort of blues intro, quite undefinable but cool as hell. The low end will consume you on this tune, and the dynamics just explode from the speakers, awesome vocal fly-in type effects add lots of color to the mix. The breakdown in this song is wild, like some kind of impressionistic flute and bass solo that is so dreamy. Then add Zena's harmony breathes to the mix, very very cool. The song closes out with some seriously intense drumming from McClain. Track 6 "The Game" This song will lure you in with a good 70's relaxed type feel entwined with hints of spanish guitar, as the lyrics convey a deeply sad situation. It builds intensity Estrum style, but then teleports you into the unexpected territory of a Jeff Beck fusion jam, ultra cool, guys. Doubled up powerful vocal screams blast out to the song's finale, very moving. Track 7 "Waste" This tune stands out with its use of samples as ambient rhythms. The reverb on Zena's voice is a beautiful choice that just fills up the room really nicely. As usual there's tons of great catchy soulful melodies that pull you in. This tune probably has my favorite guitar solos on the album, dueling each other are Peterson and Sewell showcasing their individual styles. I really love the dark minor and dissonant harmony leads closing this number out! Track 8 "Those Who Bellow Grief and Tears" When is the last time you heard an instrumental on an album that wasn't from an instrumental band? Not very often, these days. This piece allows the band to show their skills connecting various soundscapes throughout. Bellizias bass playing has got it going on in this number for sure. This instrumental shifts from an accented progressive feel to guitar wah dissonance to exotic drum rhythms of a middle eastern and or brazilian feel. This is where you get some beautiful acoustic leads that burn at the speed of light. McClain's wildly accented drumming adds a cohesive quality to end out this very exciting and fun instrumental. Track 9 "Narcolepsy" I hate to say it, but it's the last song on the album. It's the right choice to end a perfect album. It starts out with a sweet melody that draws you in waiting for what will be next.......an explosive chorus in where the vocal melody literally cries out at you. A nice use of vocal effects adds many colors to the musical palette throughout the sections. The outro is very moving, a vocal/drum jungle vibe that bursts into one of the coolest guitar riff/solos with seriously slamming drums. This really makes for the end of a perfect album. I wanna say thanks to Estrum for putting their hearts, souls, and blood into this album and Jason Sewell what a great job on the production. A very nice group of talented musicians that will keep me wanting for more and deserve serious recognition for THE perfect album. I can't wait to see them perform live sometime in Florida hint hint :) Scott Corning www.SailfinDragon.com