This (Scale the Summit's second album) is an excellent follow on to 2007s Monument. You can hear the vast improvements of the 2 guitarists and know how to play off of one another’s styles excellently. With soaring solos being present, it is clear that Chris Letchford (8 string guitarist) is one to watch out for; the technicality he uses is amazing for one as young as him. The other the instruments (Bass and Drums) both have amazing subtlety, depth and strength to them, yet still manage to blend in and magnificently compliment the Guitars. While some may complain due to the lack of a Vocalist, I cannot see that complaint, this band wouldn't work as well as they do with a Vocalist.
Carving Desert Canyons contains a lot of variety in its songs, with ‘Glacial Planet’ and ‘Giants’ both containing particularly chunky riffs as well as beautifully written and performed solos. It is clear that the songs are concepts; especially if you look at the Band’s merchandise store with Shirts named after songs it shows that the songs have a concept of some sort; however it is unclear how thought out the concepts are or if they are linked throughout the entire album.
The album itself is marvellously mixed with the instruments specific volumes being very near to perfect (a little more bass wouldn’t go amiss however). The flow between tracks is superb and almost seamless, which is to be expected in a Progressive Masterpiece such as this.
I would suggest this to people who are fans of bands such as Dream Theater, Oceansize, Opeth and Between the Buried and me; despite being far lighter than three of these bands their style can be seen as reminiscent of them. If you are interested in supporting a fantastic young band that have a lot to give, listen to this album and consider giving it a purchase too.
