If the ten-minute opening title track "Deadwing" isn't proof enough, then the ensuing remainder of the CD of the same name certainly makes a bold statement that Porcupine Tree is back with a vengeance. 2002's debut on Lava Records In Absentia was at the time the bands boldest, most commercial, and certainly heaviest record to date, that is, until Deadwing. Steven Wilson has fully embraced his love for heavy metal and atmospheric rock music, merging the two styles very convincingly here, surely his relationship with progressive death metal band Opeth greatly influencing his writing style these days.

The title track is a compelling mix of prog rock, catchy alternative, and crushing metal, littered with Wilson's searing guitars and Richard Barbieri's clever keyboard work. However, the crushing "Shallow" is easily the heaviest track the band has recorded yet, with thick beefy guitars, aggressive rhythms, and Wilson's forceful vocals. This is metal with a capital "M"! On "Lazarus", the band switches gears for a gorgeous pop rock tune that recalls Wilson's side project with Israeli singer Aviv Geffen called Blackfield, complete with lush lead & backing vocals and the majestic piano of Barbieri. The melodies and hooks on this one are simply tremendous.

The band mixes symphonic rock with industrial and funk sounds on the groove -laden "Halo", complete with a frenzied guitar solo from King Crimson legend Adrian Below and Wilson's distorted lead vocals. Fans of Porcupine Tree's earlier space rock style will love the 13-minute extravaganza "Arriving Somewhere But Not Here", a tune that scratches the Pink Floyd and Tangerine Dream itch quite nicely, yet retains the modern PT sound. Lots of multi-layered vocal harmonies on this, as well as acrobatic and soaring lead guitar work from Wilson, plus many varied keyboard textures. Check out the daring middle section where the band switches from ambient space to down and dirty thrash metal, complete with crashing drums from Gavin Harrison, nimble bass work from Colin Edwin, Wilson's pummeling guitar dirges, and Barbieri's raging organ. If you dug the last Dream Theater album, this tune will put a big smile on your face. The band goes through many changes of tone, mood, and tempo here, and this is easily one of the bands most ambitious tunes in years.

The band travels back to Earth for another pleasant and tuneful pop song with "Mellotron Scratch", which features plenty of engaging harmonies and multi-part vocals. Again, fans of Blackfield, as well as The Beatles, will love this song. The band returns to more riff-based material on the heavy "Open Car", this one a more straightforward rocker that has a catchy verse to go along with some meaty guitar chords. More crunchy guitars meet futuristic and ambient keyboard washes on the complex "The Start of Something Beautiful", a song that sees drummer Harrison lay down some funk/jazz drum licks while Wilson and Barbieri conjure up the perfect meeting of thunder and space. The band returns to the Pink Floyd-influenced soundscapes for a classic Porcupine Tree epic called "Glass Arm Shattering", which sees Wilson's haunting, dreamy, washed out vocals soaring over spacey keyboard settings and liquid guitar patterns. A wonderful end to a wonderful album.

The perfect marriage between prog rock, metal, ambient, and pop music? Perhaps. Porcupine Tree are on a roll folks, and with a slew of solid releases behind them, Deadwing should be the ice-breaker as far as this band gaining world wide recognition and success.