The difference between something great and something incredible is probably exceedingly small and subjective. You and I could listen to the same record and both agree that it’s damned good, but you might insist on its greatness, while I might shoot you and take your five dollars. I might be hungry and you might have been getting on my nerves because you might be a fucking dick.

Illogicist absolutely walks that fine line between merely great and must have. I have to land on the “great” side. And this might annoy you if you are on the “fucking orgasmic” side. There can be little argument that this is a record of outstanding musicianship, energetic performances and well crafted progressive death songs with thrashy vocals. All the elements are in place. In fact there isn’t anything of substance to take away from this record. But in the end it simply doesn’t make my sack crinkle. It certainly has moments, and I can’t say why the record as a whole doesn’t do for me what Psycroptic or Spawn of Possession did.

Among the numerous selling points on this disc are mid to fast paced songs, intricate time signatures and a very good production job. You can hear the drums and the bass easily, but they don’t resort to tin cans and Kornslapping to get the clarity. Rather it’s because the guitars are recorded in the old thrash style instead of new death style. The lack of wet crunch opens up the rhythm section and really pushes them in the mix. The fact that the drummer and bassist make one of the best teams I have heard in a long time doesn’t hurt either. In fact the bassist is truly playing the part to its fullest, connecting the melodies to the percussion with monster style and flair. Occasionally it gets in the way, but you can forgive when you take it all in context.

The songs themselves are both what makes the record a sure bet and also keeps it from attaining the level of a must have. Sometimes they spend too much time wallowing in their own complexities and the flow is lost, the attention focused on the wrong thing. There is a difference between being a virtuoso musician and making great music. Again, it’s a fine line, and I find myself landing on the near side of it this time.

If you are a fan of thrash, prog, virtuosity or metal, I recommend this record highly. You may very well find that you have landed a 666 and I am just fucking nuts. But at the very least you will own a damned great record worth your attention and money. Unfortunately I have five of it and you are dead. Sorry. But at least I am not hungry.