In its infancy, it was easy to simply dismiss bands like
Periphery, often classified djent (a woefully reductive term based on the scraping tone of the detuned guitars), as simple
Meshuggah worship. On Clear, the band's third album, it becomes apparent that there's a lot more to the band's sound than mimicry, as
Misha Mansoor and company deliver yet another album of technically dazzling melodic prog-metal. An experimental EP, Clear finds each member of the band taking the controls for a song. The album's cohesiveness is a testament to the astounding reserves of songwriting and production talent in the band, and the only thing likely to disappoint fans is the half-hour running time. ~ Gregory Heaney