Tempest Reign's release "Calm Before the Storm" begins with a Rush influenced metal thrasher called, "Drift". Verses have a Hemispheres feel that morphs into a speed chugging thrash modulating tight metal movement. The 1/2 step progression has harmonic-minor possibilities and gives the tone its darkness. Track 2, "Sacred", is a tight phaser-churning guitar driver. There is a political hint to the material lyrically, the band writes, 'something inside you is searching for the truth, showing no mercy played for a fool, light brings the truth to your eyes, wisdom and knowledge that breaks all the lies". The title track, "Calm Before the Storm", is a sweet progressive rock instrumental that features melodic chord changes and thunder storm sound effects while drummer, Brent Smedley represents the growing speed and roar of the oncoming violent air. The track seamlessly runs into "Consumed by Sorrow" - clearly the storm the metaphor for the veil of depression they refer to. This is the first time on the record that TR approaches an Epic narrative within its music and the result is incredibly satisfying. The final track, "Southern Crunch", the lyrics are poetic and disturbing, 'death is born an illusion, seen thru the eyes of a madman". Overall, the effort here is an ambitious attempt to put out a metal thrash concept album that penetrates. It works.