Frontal

Frontal, the 2021 sophomore release from Lebanese quintet Turbulence, represents a significant leap forward in the Middle Eastern progressive metal scene. Following their debut, the band refined their sound into a blend of Haken-esque melodic sensibility and the rhythmic grit of modern djent. The album is characterized by its expansive track lengths, with four songs exceeding the nine-minute mark, allowing for deep thematic exploration and virtuosic instrumental interplay. Vocalist Omar El Hage provides a standout performance, utilizing a clean, powerful delivery that anchors the technical chaos of the instrumentation. The record was mixed and mastered with a focus on digital clarity, highlighting the band's 'surgical' approach to performance. Critically, it has been noted for its ability to bridge the gap between old-school progressive rock storytelling and contemporary metal aggression, positioning Turbulence as a global contender in the genre.