Origin:	Houston, TX, USA
Genres:	Progressive Metal

Outworld

Outworld (the band takes their name from Mortal Kombat) was formed by Rusty Cooley and Bobby Williamson, who first came together when Williamson contributed to Cooley's solo album and the pair decided to continue working together in a band. Outworld draws from a number of genres, and might best be described as a mix of power, speed, neo-classical and progressive metal. Cooley's guitar work is beyond impressive -- the guy is all over the place, with some truly stupendous solos though he doesn't overshadow the rest of the band, as Williamson in particular shines on his own and the rhythm section guys are no slouches either. Vocalist Kelly Carpenter (who appears on the album but has since been replaced) is one of those higher-pitched vocalists that sometimes divide fans -- he's certainly not afraid to let loose, and at his best he resembles Nevermore's Warrel Dane when he goes for the higher screams, though at times he's just a bit much. This is a fairly busy album, chock full of riffs and solos, and by being heavier than most prog bands and flashier than most conventional metal bands, they may have established a niche for themselves. A promising debut for a band that could go places.

Keyboardist Williamson stepped down from the band in March 2008.