If I had to choose one word to describe Phoenix Arizona's (Sic)monic then the word would simply be "challenging". From the band's curious moniker to the title of their second album 'Somnabulist', (Sic)monic are a band that leaves the casual listener feeling somewhat perplexed.

Originally created as a female fronted band they then decided to combine various male/female vocalists, before the band finally settled on current vocalist Taylor Hession, who is an immense vocalist, displaying incredible diversity in his delivery. 

Personally I'm not in favour of categorising music into nice, safe categories which thankfully I can excused be from in the case of (Sic)monic as they simply can't be categorised. Drawing from such a huge range of musical influences, ranging from death metal and prog rock through to jazz fusion with the odd nod to country rock thrown in for good measure.

The album kicks of in ferocious style with the brutal 'To The Fiendz', a brutal assault to the ole eardrums before taking the listener on a complex musical path featuring a mighty death metal vocal even including a brief nursery rhyme in the form of 'Hands, Knees and Toes'.

If that number wasn't brutal enough for you then title track 'Somnambulist' will leave your ears bleeding, as it features an extreme vocal along with some ferocious drum work care of Zack R Sewell.

As vocalist Taylor Hession varies his vocal style from death metal/metalcore through to a more easy listening accessible style there are moments during the album where the band remind me of nineties band One Minute Silence particularly in the vocal delivery, and there are slight moments where System Of A Down springs to mind. Yet I wouldn't label the band as imitators as I feel they portray themselves as leaders not followers.

Along with the heavier numbers such as 'Illumination' and 'Of Blood And Grace' the band manage to exceed themselves with two perfect slabs of emotion with the more ballad orientated numbers 'Requiem' and 'Paradiseum' but don't get alarmed, I'm not talking Bon Jovi material here.

The album closes with the curious country offering I alluded to earlier in the shape of  a cover version of 'Devil Went To Georgia' proving that these Arizona boys possess a sense of humour along with a great musical talent, a great number and a perfect ending to a mighty fine album.

Just like any challenge in life, persevere and you will be rewarded.

www.myspace.com/sicmonic