This Philadelphia-native progressive group rattled the east coast metal scene with their 2015 full-length release, Thalassas, deftly mixing a bevy of classic progressive rock, modern prog-metal, experimental, post-hardcore and jazz rock influences and further improve upon their addictive sonic blend with their EP, Of Two Minds. The auditory assault reaches far beyond the confines of ITPOW's experimental predecessors-plainly inspired by the piercing vocal attacks, tasteful theatricality and frantic musical kaleidoscopes pioneered by artists like Rush, Coheed and Cambria, Queen, The Mars Volta and Between The Buried And Me-leaving the listener with something overtly inspired yet fresh and uncharted. Of Two Minds, Stages 1-2: The Ape and The Cage is a two-in-one part EP in an eventual multi-release story that explores ITPOW's personal confrontations with mental illness, emotional struggle and the five stages of grief
