Texan outfit An Endless Sporadic has spent the last decade or so solidifying its reputation as one of the most imaginative and adventurous instrumental progressive rock/metal/jazz fusion groups around. Founded in 2004 by Zach Kamins and Andy Gentile (who’s since departed), the group initially rose to prominence in part because of its appearances on some video game soundtracks (such as Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland and Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock). Since then, the band has issued several releases and expanded greatly, with its newest outing, Magic Machine¸ featuring over a dozen players between its core members and guest musicians (including Dream Theater’s Jordan Rudess, Animals and Leaders’ Navene Koperweis, and The Flower Kings’ Jonas Reingold and Roine Stolt). The end result is exactly what fans should expect: tightly woven and highly intricate compositions with relatively idiosyncratic sound effects and dynamic shifts. While its pieces can become a bit repetitive at times (an inherent flaw in plenty of instrumental sequences), the sheer scope, production, and musicianship on hand is more than enough to make the record remarkable.

In the LP’s official press release, the band qualifies it as “a showcase for mind-bending musicianship and rich expressiveness via avant-garde film-score soundscapes . . . [it] offers a coruscating kaleidoscope of colours and joy . . . [it’s] staggeringly packed full of drama.” Yeah, that just about sums it up, as does Kamins’ additional reflection: “I feel that Magic Machine was created out of a strong desire to bring out the true intention of the name, An Endless Sporadic. I have always had a passion for music that was part of a bigger story, where ideas can take time to develop and be presented in many different ways.” Indeed, Magic Machine finds Kamins and company taking its creations to higher cinematic and symphonic heights than ever before, making it a perpetually thrilling and engaging aural journey.    

Fittingly, the album takes off with “The Departure,” whose opening moments pack the orchestral magnificence of a Broadway score. Of course, this serves to introduce the band, who creep in seamlessly underneath the surface, combining delicate syncopation, soaring effects, and demonstrative interlocking guitar passages. From there, and as you’d assume, it becomes a whirlwind of shifting rhythms, technical guitar and keyboard counterpoints, and biting riffs. As always, An Endless Sporadic incorporates vibrant timbres (including strings and woodwinds) throughout many clever dynamic shifts, so it’s a relentlessly unpredictable yet captivating launch point.

In contrast, the title track is more accessible, with a bit of an ‘80s synth vibe (similar to what Haken did on its newest outing, Affinity). (It also features some lovely pianowork at the start.)  Afterward, “Galactic Tactic” proves to be as playful as its name suggests, integrating glitzy digital effects within its progressive rock foundation (in a way, it’s like hearing the band play inside an old school arcade), while “Finding the Falls” features catchy, robust horns while also evoking ‘70s pioneer Kansas in its violin wizardry. “The Assembly” is easily among the most beautiful, emotional and stylistically varied pieces on Magic Machine, as it moves between militaristic frenzy and lush, fanciful dreamscapes with ease. It’s incredible.

The lengthiest entry on offer (by a considerable amount) is “Sky Run”, and thankfully it earns its duration by containing some of the record’s most engaging and inventive moments. From its initial classical elegance and subsequent acoustic warmth, to its most piercing and eccentric flourishes, the nine-minute venture never ceases to surprise and astound. “Through the Fog” also throws up similarly divergent palettes, even recalling a bit of Frank Zappa’s most madcap side at times, and the brief penultimate “Sea Voyage” sets up a relatively brief and tranquil space from which to transition seamlessly into closer “Impulse II,” a revised take (better production, more instruments, more variety, etc.) on one of An Endless Sporadic’s most distinctive and adored compositions. Unsurprisingly, it’s as awesome as ever, with an opening riff that will still send shivers down your spine.

Magic Machine further cements An Endless Sporadic as one of the most daring, sundry, and original instrumental outfits of its time, plain and simple. While so many of the biggest names in progressive music are becoming increasingly uninteresting and complicit in their formula (*cough* Dream Theater *cough*), there are plenty of lesser known acts pushing new boundaries and trying new things. Despite some occasional glimpses of distracting sameness, the vast majority of Magic Machine, like everything else the band does, bursts with vigor, imagination, and astounding direction. It’s really a marvel, and it deserves to bring An Endless Sporadic as much acclaim and attention as it can.