Periphery III: Select Difficulty

The much anticipated fifth studio long-player from the Washington D.C.-based progressive metal unit, Periphery III: Select Difficulty came together quickly, written -- by all six members -- mere months after 2015's ambitious, two-part Juggernaut project. Produced by bandmembers Misha Mansoor and Adam Getgood, the 11-track set offers up another relentless mix of soaring melodies and punishing djent grooves that employ the usual arsenal of instrumentation, with the additions of Moog synthesizer and a full-on orchestra. ~ James Christopher Monger