Unexpect - in a Flesh aquarium

Expect: to consider probable or certain As in, I receive an album from a band called "Unexpect" whose members call themselves things like "Artagoth" and "ChaotH" and I expect it to be completely unbearable. Unexpect was almost entirely surprising: I was surprised to get the CD in the mail, upon opening I was surprised someone would send me Canadian prog-metal and finally I was surprised that in a Flesh aquarium with all of its inappropriate capitalization and upside down, backwards letters sounded this much like the album Danny Elfman would make after a 5-day weekend spent in the marijuana-and-embalming-fluid stench that must tumble out of Tim Burton's basement. Vocals that range from operatic to guttural; massive, chugging beats blended with orchestral calliope music and string arrangements; and time signatures to defy even the most dedicated toe-tapper. Unexpect mixes this all up with a heapin' helpin' of black clothing and blacker makeup. Unfortunately, it would be a lie to say that the formula (or lack thereof) doesn't get a bit worn out by the album's centerpiece, the three-part "The Shiver", the requisite theme piece for any metal band featuring a "singing contemporary dancer". Unexpect has two definite paths that I can see: first, they are bound to become a novelty act for the black t-shirt set with an album full of crazy ideas, excellent production, solid chops and decent songs. Second, this record could (and probably will, with any competent promotion) become a required purchase for anyone with a collection of Nightmare Before Christmas merch. Finally, Unexpect has taught me a valuable lesson—never judge a Canadian prog-metal act by the number of members with dreadlocks and down-to-here goatees it contains. [www.unexpect.com]