I stumbled across a mini album by a band called Cynic... I heard rumours they were pioneers in death metal and released a seminal album way back when. This though is not in any form a death metal band anymore but a prog thoroughbred

Carbon Based Anatomy contains only 6 songs - The opener Amidst the Coals consists of female vocals singing in an unknown language over drifting keyboards. The title track feature some prodigious drumming and a good ol' fashioned guitar solo

The variety within only 6 tracks is jaw dropping - Bija features tabla drums and a very eastern feel with no vocals while Elves Beam Out is a 70's prog work out with a decidedly space rock feel

This album met none of my preconceptions of what it would sound like and is all the better for it.
It's an album which never lets you settle into one style of music and leave you wanting to hear more