New Music Review: AFTER LAPSE ‘Pathways’

Rating: 9.5 / 10 Stars

AFTER LAPSE is: Rubén Miranda (vocals), Miguel Ángel Rueda (guitar), Pablo Sancha (keyboards), Iván Marín (guitar), Javier Palacios (bass), Roberto Cappa (drums)

REVIEW – Spanish progressive metallers AFTER LAPSE return with their sophomore album ‘Pathways’ on December 13, 2024 via Frontiers Music Srl. With an expanded sonic palette, heavier emotional weight, and a cohesive lineup that’s firing on all cylinders, ‘Pathways’ solidifies the band’s rising status in the world of progressive metal.

The album opens with “The Shadow People”, a groove-laden, fist-pumping opener full of slick guitar interplay and shifting rhythmic layers that set the tone. “Clones” follows with cinematic weight, sweeping the listener away in melodic melancholy and textured progressions. Then comes the emotional centerpiece “Dust To Dust”, a deeply moving track that blends technical proficiency with heartfelt vulnerability—soaring vocals, intricate drumming, and melodic dynamics elevate it to a standout.

“Thanks, But No Thanks” hits hard with a catchy hook and clever arrangement—definitely one that sticks. “Dying Star” surges forward with pulsating rhythms, crunchy riffs, and dynamic vocal phrasing that crashes and flows with dramatic tension. “Walking By The Wire” is haunting and melodic, delivering an emotional gut punch that lingers long after the final note.

The intensity returns with “Wounds Of The Past”, a heavy, cathartic anthem built on explosive grooves and intricate leads. “Turn Into Light” floats on atmospheric keys and layered guitars, striking a perfect balance between technical finesse and introspective storytelling. The album closes with “Temperance”, a subdued yet powerful finale that wraps things in a shroud of soft melody and reflection.

With ‘Pathways’, AFTER LAPSE sharpen their progressive metal identity—melding influences from Dream Theater to Kamelot into something uniquely their own. The songwriting is mature, the musicianship top-tier, and the production crisp. This is a band that’s not just evolving—they’re arriving.