Guitarist and songwriter Antti Parviainen died four years ago. His bandmates finished up this set as a tribute. That in itself is quite the story. But the music is what it truly intriguing.

Cerebral Mist Age of Mist EP (Inverse Records)

The band calls itself "melodic death metal." And Parvaianen does have quite the growl. But the extensive use of new wave-style keyboards, Maiden-esque riffage and power metal-style vocals on the choruses really mix a lot into the blender. The miracle is that everything flows so well together.

Truly arresting. Antti Argillander, the vocalist and other main songwriter, put together the band that recorded these tracks (using Parviainen's original guitars from the demos) and shepherded the project to its finished form. The original demos are available on the band's Bandcamp site (name your price), and those illustrate Parviainen's brilliance and the care with which this "produced" release was made.

Certainly a case study for the school of rock, but just as enthralling as a stand-alone listen. Cerebral Mist may barely have existed, but this EP should impress for years to come.

Jon Worley