No, EVENT HORIZON isn't the name of a portait studio. They're a 'eavy mettle band hailing from the land that brought us PAUL CHAIN (that would be Italy). "Naked on the Black Floor" is their second full-length spinner. Cruz Del Sur continues to perplex us with the ups and downs of their roster. When Cruz hooks into a winner, it's definitely high-fives all around. But in their perpetual conquest to bring exotic metal bands to the label, they often leave us scratching our heads.

EVENT HORIZON is definitely a head-scratcher. Gianluigi Girardi's harsh, throaty wails recall former LOUDNESS / EZO frontman Masaki Yamada, a unique and refreshing distinction for a metal singer. But that's where the distinctiveness ends. The album is little more than a rehash of metal giants DREAM THEATER and TOOL, showing fondness for complex drum fills, blazing guitar solos, ripping off the intros and outros from "Aenima", and employing keyboard sequences that reek of JAN HAMMER. There are several moments on the disc that indicate EVENT HORIZON is capable of settling into a decent jam, notably "Fragments of Insanity" and "Zero". But both of these instances are interrupted by maddening keyboard interludes that recall the old "Knight Rider" TV show. Some of you kiddies may be too young to remember that one, so use your Google and You Tube to find some sound samples. Remember, avoid JAN HAMMER, EVENT HORIZON, and David Hasselhoff if you can help it.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.eventhorizonband.com

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