Shifting its focus largely toward the heavy aspects that Zero Hero hinted at on its already promising predecessor, the record melds together textured brutality that's easily on a par with Strapping Young Lad or Meshuggah, with a King Crimson-like flair for non-linear song structures and experimentation. Adding extra spice to an already attracive concoction is the fact that Jasun Tipton is one hell of a guitar player; his lightning-fast shredding on the epic "Inner Spirit" is downright scary, while on "Lies" he exhibits -- in collusion with a very competent rhythm section -- an appreciation for fat, chunky grooves that isn't a million miles away from Dimebag Darrel.

Make no mistake, _Dark Deceiver_ isn't an easy album to get into by any means. Its densely layered complexity means that you'll almost certainly be discovering new bits a year from now, and you certainly won't throw this on the tray at your next kegger. But then again, that's not a bad thing at all.