Storm Corrosion

Roadrunner Records

In the months leading up to this collaboration between Mikael Ackerfeldt of Opeth and Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree, the two musicians promised only that "Storm Corrision" would have none of the progressive metal elements fans would expect. Hard to believe - but it's out and they weren't lying. My God! What a stunning album: icy and lovely, darkly spectral and spookily cinematic. You could imagine this record playing while Van Gogh makes up his mind whether to paint "The Sunflowers" or sharpen his ear-razor. Or Ingmar Bergman listening to "Storm Corrosion" as he sets out to script a slapstick comedy - and is instead driven to write "Winter Light."

- RICK KOSTER