First let me say that I am not what you would call a metal fan. I find the posturing involved with most metal music rather silly. It, like punk, has a bajillion sub genres that I don't have the foggiest idea how to distinguish between. Nonetheless I have to admit to a mild fondness for the music. If I ignore the lyrics and the overwrought band, album, and song titles, I can get into it every now and then. I was listening to The Painter's Palette by Ephel Duath today, and I was quite enjoying it. I found it on eMusic last winter and it's an interesting album. First off, the name is a Tolkien reference; it's the name of the mountain range surrounding Mordor (post Peter Jackson I like seeing references that actually involve having read the book). The music isn't your basic metal (not that I really know what that is), it mixes in bits of jazz fusion-ish bits with flourishes like the occasional screeching saxophone. Don't be fooled though, it's still metal; you're assaulted by lot's of thrashing guitars and double-kick drums accompanied by generous helpings of the requisite screaming. For most part I can't understand the lyrics so I can't comment on their potential pretentiousness/cheesiness. All of this adds up to an entertaining album that was getting me through the duller part of my day.