Distance over Time

Distance over Time is the fourteenth album, returning to a more compact, focused progressive metal after the long-form story of The Astonishing. Heavily cut guitar, Mangini's complex yet drive-keeping drums, detailed bass and colorful keyboards build the songs' tension rather than showing themselves off. This time the strength of the riffs and the sense of arrival at the chorus function as the center of the work. "Untethered Angel" opens with a firm riff, and "Fall Into the Light" combines aggression with melody. From the catchiness of "Paralyzed" to the lyricism of "Barstool Warrior" and the grandeur of "Pale Blue Dot," meter and texture change freely even in the shorter songs. The heavy guitar sound has some of the strongest presence of recent years, reaching both listeners who love complexity and those who want purely powerful rock — a record that reaffirms the band's playing and construction.