Brisbane based electronic rockers Substance Inc (or Sub-Inc for short) offer something very unique to the scene. Their effects laden live performances are dark, ethereal and more often than not, completely captivating. Combining Wakeman-esque synth work with the modern uber effected guitars of the Morello movement, and "nu-prog" sensibilities, the band sound like no other in Australia.

Capturing such a modern sound on record is going to be a difficult task for any band in Sub-Inc's position. Unable to hide behind "but it's supposed to sound like that" black metal production values, Sub-Inc enlisted the best production trio in Brisbane, producer Stuart Niven, mixer Forrester Savell, and masterer Dave Neil.

The result is a sound so polished you feel you're listening to an international artist when you slip their debut EP "Sky-Hi" into the CD player. The mix is clean and articulate, and everything sits in its right place. The sound is vast and encompassing without resorting to Townsendian walls of sonic-layering. The guitar tone is a gorgeous modern hi-gain sound that holds it's own against any Deftones release. Of course, you'd expect nothing less from a Modern Music Studios release.

The music itself ranges from breathtakingly original modern metal, to progressive rock, to dark-wave electronica. Korn's influence is felt on practically every track, with opening track "Skies" and its reprise track "Higher" feeling like B-sides from the Issues sessions. The metal aspects of the disc are its strength, with track two Negative features a slippery trilling riff that System of a Down would be proud of.

Vocalist and Guitarist John Keen seems obsessed with Satriani inspired 'alien' sounding guitar tone and both his lead and rythmn playing is a breath of fresh air in a town full of metal-core bands playing disguised Maiden covers. The effects laden tone is hardly derivative or covering for a lack of ability, as the clean fret burning of track 6 "Leaves" demonstrates.

Keyboardist Timmy (who goes under the live name "Kermit Da Prog") puts in a twisted performance, unafraid of 'cheesy' saw-tooth wave synthesis amongst the usual ambience and clean piano.

The lyrical content at times grows weary with many tracks feeling somewhat similar in content. While this jars against the originality and diversity of the music, Keen's offbeat vocal approach more than keeps the lyrics from growing too stale.

With one foot grounded on the finger splitting prog rock of yesteryear, it's easy to forget how precariously Substance Inc's other foot is hovering in the air. This is a band whose sound is so modern, Sky-Hi at times feels devoid of genre classification, save to say "Sub-Inc".

They call it cyber rock, here at OzProg we call it "fucking excellent".

www.subinc.net
www.myspace.com/subinc
management@subinc.net