Royal Hunt - A Life To Die For

Progressive Metal
Frontiers
2013








1. Hell Comes Down From Heaven
2. A Bullet's Tale
3. Running Out Of Tears
4. One Minute Left
5. Sign Of Yesterday
6. Won't Trust, Won't Fear, Won't Beg
7. A Life To Die For

Royal Hunt's last album Show Me How To Live was a pretty exciting one for me. It wasn't their best release ever (though it was very good), but it featured the return of DC Cooper to the band. DC has always been my favorite Royal Hunt singer so that was big for me. The album itself was a grower that I'd probably rate higher now than when I first reviewed it. The songs weren't very outside the box or as experimental/interesting as Royal Hunt can get, but they were melodic and powerful. Still, I went into this one hoping the band would get a little more adventurous with their songwriting this time than trying to make Paradox again.

Well, for better or worse this is much of the same. The sound on A Life To Die For is similar to the last album which is similar to the DC Cooper stuff that came before. The vocal melodies seem sort of familiar, the music sounds much as it has, and the heavy on the strings orchestration continues to show up in the background. If you've heard Royal Hunt with DC Cooper this album isn't really going to shake your expectations. This is the sort of melodic progressive with a hint of power that they've always done. The problem is that once again the band feels to reach outside the box and this does feel kind of rehashed. Pretty much the exact problem I'd feared this album would have.

Besides the familiarity, there are some other problems that strike me in regards to the songs though. The general style may be very recognizable, but there are other issues that hold some tracks back. Hell Comes Down From Heaven's chorus seems rammed into the music and doesn't really fit the flow of it for one thing, but even more than that, the song is a bloated one at nine and a half minutes. It really didn't need to be that long as far as I'm concerned. Running Out Of Tears is also worth noting as sounding just too sugary sweet for my ears. That chorus is so overblown happy I think it may have given me diabetes. Sign Of Yesterday is a better song, but also suffers from a bit too much sugar, so to speak. None of these songs are really bad, but they do have elements that hold them back from being better.

Overall, this is an alright album for fans, but it breaks no new ground and doesn't offer any song I can call extremely memorable. It's a pleasant enough listen in that the music is well executed, DC is a good singer, and this is passably melodic and smooth, but this just doesn't offer anything exciting. This is just a little too cookie cutter for me.

Highlights: One Minute Left To Live, A Bullet's Tale

Rating - 3.0/5

Queensryche - Queensryche

Progressive Metal
Century Media

2013

1. X2
2. Where Dreams Go To Die
3. Spore
4. In This Light
5. Redemption
6. Vindication
7. Midnight Lullaby
8. A World Without
9. Don't Look Back
10. Fallout
11. Open Road

In the world of music this album is sort of a bizarre concept for a band. Most bands have the opportunity to become relevant again when they regain a classic frontman, not fire his ass. This is kind of like the bizarro version of Bruce Dickinson coming back to Iron Maiden. I'm not sure I've ever seen a situation quite like this band's, but like a lot of metal fans I couldn't help rooting for them. It was a ballsy move kicking Tate to the curb, and the guy is such a huge douche, how could you not cheer them on? Not to mention I heard what Geoff Tate's version of Queensryche had to offer and it was made entirely clear his musical ideas for Queensryche are terrible and nowhere near what the fans want.

After listening to this album I get the impression most of the members of Queensryche knew what the fans wanted. They knew that their fans wanted passionate, heavy music and they knew that what fans didn't want was pretentiousness and cabaret shows. This is an album that absolutely deserves to be self titled because it is Queensryche rediscovering themselves and being reborn.

I'm not sure the band could have picked a better replacement for Tate than Todd La Torre. The guy sounds like a young Tate vocally, but one who loves Queensryche's metal music and has the passion to make it. This is just a complete rebirth and the band sounds young and hungry. This is heavy and this is metal. In losing Tate the band has lost nothing and gained everything. The vocals are a perfect fit for early Queensryche and every bit as good as Tate ever was and the music has improved immensely. Gone are the flavors of alt rock and unnecessary attempts at artsy nonsense. This just sounds more genuine and heavy than the band has been since Empire at minimum. Honestly, I think this is probably the best thing the band has done since Mindcrime. The vocal power here and heaviness is enough to convince even the biggest Tate fan doubter if they're willing to give it half a chance in my opinion. The band just sounds like they love metal again. Maybe they always did, but Tate sure wasn't interested.

Awesome. Just awesome. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not the biggest Queensryche fan ever. They've never been among my favorite bands, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy some of their stuff. I just kinda came into the band after they'd tanked and could hear in retrospect each slow step away from the more traditional metal they started as. I'm a 30 year old guy, born in 1982. I wasn't around/old enough to know the band when they had fire and heaviness to be really excited about it. I never got to experience that. I liked Operation Mindcrime 2 when that came out and the band actively tried to be metal again, but it didn't last. This though is about a band really refinding themselves and most of all it's a passionate metal album. This S/T album is not trying to be progressive first, but simply a heavy metal album with powerful, soaring vocals. Good going guys and welcome to the fold Todd La Torre. Even if by some chance this band doesn't legally win the Queensryche name, they are the band who gets it.

Highlights: Where Dreams Go To Die, Spore, A World Without, Fallout

Rating - 4.0/5

Brendon Small - Brendon Small's Galaktikon

Progressive Metal/Rock
Independent
2012









1. Triton
2. Prophecy Of The Lazer Witch
3. Beastblade
4. Deathwaltz
5. Truth Orb And The Kill Pool
6. You Can't Run Away
7. Arena War Of The Immortal Masters
8. Dangertits (Instrumental)
9. On My Way

Like most in the metal scene, I'm familiar with Brendon Small for his goofy cartoon about a death metal band, Metalocalypse. I've watched it a little in passing and the humor doesn't quite grab me, but the metal references and guest voices can be amusing sometimes. I've never been wholly invested in that whole bit, but I heard some samples of Galaktikon and it sounded intriguing. Certainly, far different from the Dethklok stuff. As a somewhat more serious project by someone interested in good metal I was curious enough to give this a listen.

As I said, do not expect anything like Dethklok going into this one. Listening to Galaktikon this is more along the lines of progressive metal/rock with some nods to the shredders like Malmsteen and Vai. There is also a sci-fi theme to the lyrics and music as might be suggested by a name like Galaktikon. Vocally, Brendon Small switches between a sort of mid-range growl/rasp and a bit deeper sounding melodic approach. Nothing to write home about in terms of ability, but I do like the way it fits the music. There's an almost stoner vibe to this at times fueled by his vocal style and some groovier moments, but the music is also unmistakably progressive. I dig the mix and I can't say I've ever really heard a soundalike for what he's doing here. Originality does score points and this comes off as having an identify firmly it's own.

Overall, Galaktikon comes off as less of a gimmick than Dethklok and establishes Brendon Small as a more serious musician here. True, the album is a bit goofy, but not so much about laughing at cliches as embracing them. Don't let a title like Dangertits fool you (which is a pretty good instrumental by the way). This is a serious, if light hearted album with sci-fi themes and some originality to it. I'd say if you want to hear some different prog metal meets rock than this is worth your time.

Highlights: Beastblade, Triton, Deathwaltz

Rating - 3.5/5

Threshold - March Of Progress

Progressive Metal
Nuclear Blast

2012

1. Ashes
2. Return of the Thought Police
3. Staring At The Sun
4. Liberty Complacency Dependency
5. Colophon
6. The Hours
7. That's Why We Came
8. Don't Look Down
9. Coda
10. Rubicon

March Of Progress is an album which I wasn't quite sure what to make of going into listening and reviewing it. I like Threshold and they had not long ago found a really good sound on their most recent effort, Dead Reckoning. I was feeling like the band was in a pretty good place when suddenly Andrew McDermott left the band and passed away. The band pursued a logical course from there and got back with earlier singer Damien Wilson on vocals, but I have to say that I've always favored Mac and the material with him more. At the same time, it's not like I can blame the band for him not being in Threshold anymore and I'd certainly like this to be good. It's also not that I disliked Wilson... just preferred Mac. Given that preference I just couldn't help worrying about a bit of a regression.

Overall, listening to March Of Progress I didn't have much to worry about. While it is true I still prefer McDermott, Wilson is no slouch and the band continues on with good melody and strong songwriting. The fundamentals for everything that make Threshold good haven't really changed. March Of Progress doesn't sound far removed at all from the style the band has been doing and does just sound more like a progression of the same style. In terms of frontman changes this one seems pretty seamless and comes off without a real hitch. If you like Threshold's brand of progressive with a strong focus on melody and memorable songs then there's just no reason not to like this in my book. Threshold have always struck me as finding that great balance of being technical and having variation in the music while still keeping melody and a good flow in mind. That is just what they do again here. One band that comes to mind for me is Evergrey who have had a similar approach, especially in more recent years. Royal Hunt would be another band that comes to mind at times.

In terms of songs, I do tend to like the album when it picks up the pace a bit more. I guess in the end I am a metal guy. Ashes starts off the album as a good up beat opener and ends up being a highlight. Also worth mentioning is The Hours which has kind of a dark vibe to it between the heavy guitar and some good utilization of keyboard. That one is probably my favorite the album has to offer. On the other end of the spectrum though is the almost ballad-ish That's Why We Came which is extremely well done. It also shows off the fact that Damien Wilson is a pretty gifted singer. Nice range displayed on this one and it basically becomes a strong vocal showcase.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the results. Threshold still sounds like Threshold and Damien Wilson does an admirable job retaking the vocal reins. I'm a McDermott fan and I accepted it so I can imagine both McDermott fans and of course Wilson fans enjoying this. If you like Threshold you shouldn't hesitate to get this one and if you're a fan of melodic progressive metal you should check this out.

Highlights: The Hours, Ashes, That's Why We Came

Rating - 3.5/5

Oddland - The Treachery Of Senses

Progressive Metal
Century Media

2012

1. Above And Beyond
2. Flooding Light
3. In The Eyes Of The Mourning
4. Aisle Of Array
5. Past The Gates
6. Still The Spirits Stay
7. In Endless Endeavour
8. Sewers
9. Lines Of Silver Blood
10. Ire

Oddland are a new band coming out with their debut album here, but they are already known to some as the winners of the Soumi Metal Star competition in Finland. I had personally never heard of them until I came across their music video for In The Eyes Of The Mourning which I thought was pretty good. Always interested in checking out new bands that seem to have some promise.

The thing that struck me first about the band is their sound is pretty uniquely there's and it's good to hear a sort of fresh sound. Musically, I get a bit of Communic, Nevermore's discordant heaviness, and maybe even a bit of Opeth.. especially in the more melodic passages. Vocally, I'm reminded a little of Ville Laihiala of Sentenced at times, especially when he's gruffer, but this is not an exact match either. At other times he has kind of a deep, also sort of gothy voice and still at others he has a nice, smooth midrange. Basically, what we have here is a band doing a heavy slant on progressive metal with halting riffs, melodic moments, and some dark/goth flavor that you might expect from a Finnish band. The sound of Oddland comes together pretty well into a dark and interesting soundscape with a lot of changes/variation in the music. This is the sort of progressive stuff that I can get behind.

Overall, this is a really well put together debut album. Fairly impressive stuff. I would recommend this to people who like progressive/technical music, but like it delivered in a dark and heavy way. I see why these guys broke through in that competition. A bit different from my typical listening preference (if you can nail that down), but highly enjoyable.

Highlights: In The Eyes Of The Mourning, Above And Beyond, Past The Gates, Still The Spirits Stay

Rating - 4.0/5

In The Silence - A Fair Dream Gone Mad

Progressive Metal
Independent

2012

1. Ever Closer
2. 17 Shades
3. Serenity
4. Beneath These Falling Leaves
5. Close To Me
6. Endless Sea
7. All The Pieces
8. Your Reward

In The Silence are just another one of those random bands I decided to check out as I cruised new stuff. Don't hear new good bands if you don't look for em right? After a little sample listening I decided I liked these guys' sound enough to give em a shot.

In The Silence are a new progressive outfit out of California that fall into the more atmospheric school of progressive. One of the first things that grabbed my personal attention was that I actually heard a fair amount of Pink Floyd in their sound. Seeing as they're one of my favorite non-metal acts it gave me reason to look a bit deeper.

Listening to A Fair Dream Gone Mad I just love the smooth atmospheres of this and how the songs incorporate metal/heavy guitar into their sound. It's quite a nice blend and they manage it well, neither getting too soft or too heavy, but rather using the heavy guitar to enhance the atmosphere. It's not an easy balance to strike in music like this and In The Silence just pull it off in fine form. There are parts of this that get pretty heavy, but you never really lose the atmospheric soundscape this album creates. This is something I could relax to and enjoy the melodies while still feeling like I'm getting my metal fix. Don't expect the music to be heavy all the time, but it has enough of it to keep my metal side interested. I'm reminded of Amorphis around the Tounela/Am Universum era a bit as well as Katatonia. Really though, metal Pink Floyd is totally what I'm hearing from A Fair Dream Gone Mad and from me that's a fairly high compliment.

If you like your progressive stuff dripping with atmosphere and melody than this is pretty top notch stuff. If atmospheric metal is at all your thing I'd say check out In The Silence. I left this listening experience impressed and I think you will too.

Highlights: Serenity, 17 Shades, Endless Sea, Ever Closer

Rating - 4.0/5

Symphony X - Iconoclast

Progressive/Power
Nuclear Blast

2011

CD 1

1. Iconoclast
2. The End Of Innocence
3. Dehumanized
4. Bastards Of The Machine
5. Heretic
6. Children Of A Faceless God
7. When All Is Lost

CD 2

1. Electric Messiah
2. Prometheus (I Am Alive)
3. Light Up The Night
4. The Lords Of Chaos
5. Reign In Madness

Symphony X are a band who have lost me a bit lately. Or at least they haven't been as pleasing to my ears as they used to be. Don't get me wrong... The Odyssey and Paradise Lost weren't Bad albums at all. I can't help but think something has been lost though. Despite being good albums, neither struck me as very progressive, as melodic as past material, and it did seem as though the band was trying too hard to be heavy. At first The Odyssey seemed like an interesting change of pace, but then came Paradise Lost and it sounded like too much of the same. That album has not aged with me well at all.

After listening to Iconoclast I can pretty much say that this is what the band is now, for better or for worse depending on your own opinion. Personally, I just find that a lot of this album runs together. I kept listening to it over and over again trying to concentrate, but I found my attention drifting, much as it seems to be in this band. I just don't hear anything as epic and soaring as they used to be and the chugga chugga guitar riffing gets kind of boring. I feel as though a lot of the riffs here are just too samey and the songs suffer for it. Basically, Iconoclast is missing the hooks, creativity, and soaring melodic vocals that made the band in their earlier days.

Overall, this isn't at all a bad listen. It really isn't. It's pretty headbangable. It just seems a little shallow and one dimensional to me. There are moments that break that mold are recall better days, but I do feel like this band's best days are behind them if they continue to follow this path. This is probably still above average and if you like heavy power metal you could do worse. If The Odyssey & Paradise Lost were to your liking than by all means check this out.

The rating is something I batted around in my own mind for awhile, but in the end I can't really give this above an ok rating. Not wholly mediocre or anything, but I just can't get excited about this and the true highlights are few for me. If I could go back and re-rate Paradise Lost at this point, it would likely be lower as well in retrospect. I have a feeling some may differ on this, but hey... it's my take.

Highlights: Children Of A Faceless God, When All Is Lost

Rating - 3.0/5

Royal Hunt - Show Me How To Live

Progressive Metal
Frontiers

2011

1. One More Day
2. Another Man Down
3. An Empty Shell
4. Half Past Loneliness
5. Hard Rain's Coming
6. Show Me How To Live
7. Angel's Gone

Like a lot of folks out there, my favorite Royal Hunt has always been Paradox. Probably their most popular album to date and a fan favorite. I've always enjoyed Royal Hunt and listen to anything they release anyways, but there was a particular excitement to this release for me. DC Cooper back in the fold at vocals was just an intriguing notion after all these years.

After listening to Show Me How To Live this album pretty much meets my expectations of it. This release might as well be Paradox Pt. III based on the sound. Everything here is very much in that vein stylistically as the music is melodic but with punch and has that touch of choir vocals and a bit of a symphonic touch. DC Cooper sounds in fine form and just makes this album sound like it should have immediately followed Paradox. The whole band takes a step back in time here, though in all fairness, they started to do that with Paradox II anyways and X was maybe just something of a misstep. Show Me How To Live just sounds more metal and energetic than X and it's a welcome change.

With Show Me How To Live the formula is back in place and this is a nice, direct Royal Hunt album that should please fans of Paradox II and the DC Cooper era. Soundwise this is what fans of Paradox would probably want. Almost to a fault though I have to say and that is my one real nitpick with this album. Show Me How To Live is so familiar and doesn't really break any new ground. I guess that can and maybe even should be expected of an album like this where an old vocalist is coming back into the fold. I can't help thinking it would have been nice if the band expanded the sound just a little though. At times I do get just a bit of a sense of a rehash. All in all though this is a fine release and I enjoyed listening to it. If you're a fan of Royal Hunt you should certainly get this. If you're unfamiliar with the band and like melodic progressive and/or prog/power stuff I'd say pick up Paradox first.

Highlights: Half Past Loneliness, Hard Rain's Coming, Angel's Gone

Rating - 3.5/5

Pagan's Mind - Heavenly Ecstasy

Progressive Metal
Steamhammer

2011

1. Contact
2. Eyes Of Fire
3. Intermission
4. Into The Aftermath
5. Walk Away In Silence
6. Revelation To The End
7. Follow Your Way
8. Live Your Life Like A Dream
9. The Master's Voice
10. Never Walk Alone
11. When Angels Unite

Heavenly Ecstasy marks the 5th release from Pagan's Mind and I've got to say that I've been enjoying all the band's releases to this point. I have a sort of love/hate relationship with the Progressive genre, but these guys have been good. Pagan's Mind represents the kind of Prog Metal that I like fairly well. Good emphasis on melodies and songwriting over just tinkering, soloing, and showing off. Technical music has it's place when rooted in strong song structure. Structure can be challenging, but can't be lost.

That being said, I think this album does the right things and plays to the band's strengths. Nils K Rue is a great singer and this strikes me as a fairly vocal-centric sort of album. Strong vocals seem to drive the songs here and the music complements them well. The album sets the tone early by starting off with a strong emphasis on melody and atmosphere on the first couple of tracks. I have no complaints with this at all as both Eyes Of Fire and Intermission are very powerful sounding. As to not get boring though, along comes Into The Aftermath with more of a guitar driven sound and this is also done well before getting back to the melodic approach on Walk Away In Silence.

From here on this is about how the album gos. Some heavier moments in songs like Revelation To The End and a lot of focus on melody and soaring vocals overall. Another heavier one worth noting is The Master's Voice which features some harsh vocals here and there and much more of a heavy guitar focus. For the most part though I find this album tends to hit home more based on melody and power than heaviness or technicality. This could be a mark down for some of the more technically minded progressive types, but not really for me.

In the end, this sounds like the Pagan's Mind we know and has some strong songs on it. I think there's enough here for most in terms of both heaviness and melody though it may lean a bit more on the later. Personally, I'm highly satisfied with the end result.

Highlights: Eyes Of Fire, Intermission, Walk Away In Silence, Live Your Life Like A Dream

Rating - 4.0/5

Communic - The Bottom Deep

Progressive Metal
Nuclear Blast

2011

1. Facing Tomorrow
2. Denial
3. Flood River Blood
4. Voyage Of Discovery
5. In Silence With My Scars
6. My Fallen
7. Destroyer Of Bloodlines
8. Wayward Soul
9. The Bottom Deep
10. In Union We Stand (OverKill cover)

Communic are a band I've liked since their first album, but this band has always kind of lived in a big shadow for me. Not that I don't like them... far from... but I'm a Huge Nevermore fan and the similarities are striking. Still, they do have a bit more of a progressive edge and do have their own style of writing even if the general sound and vocals are very reminiscent. It's not that I hold it against Communic at all, but I've always held Nevermore in higher regard. The thing about this Now though is that with Nevermore on such shaky ground, this band has the chance to climb the totem poll for me if they play their cards right.

Listening to The Bottom Deep I can't say there are any big surprises for me, but that's not such a bad thing in itself. Really, this band has a solid sound and manages to make the kind of progressive music I particularly enjoy. Basically, the kind with balls and enough heaviness to satisfy. This does not ever get too absorbed in trying to be 'innovative' or forget to send some solid, heavy rhythms your way. There are some softer moments, but really they only serve to establish mood and bring a seriously dark feel to the music which I find highly enjoyable. This band is great at using atmosphere to Increase the dark and intense feeling and not detract from it. There are some nice quirks to the music though such as changing riffs and time signatures which provide depth and keep you absorbed in listening. The Bottom Deep has a pretty damn solid blend of technical skill, imagination, and keeping the songs memorable.

Maybe Communic does draw some from the sound of Nevermore, but it's really not a deal breaker. First of all... there are far worse bands to draw inspiration from in sound. Secondly, they do bring their own take to it and this is not just a clone. Thinking of how many bands draw inspiration directly from the Priest or Maiden sound(s) it's really not that big of a deal. I don't mean to harp on it, but the criticism is common and it's just not really a big deal to me.

Noteworthy songs include just about everything so I'm not going to go into track by track really. Up to this point, I feel this way about every album Communic has done. All the albums manage to come together as a complete soundscape and really paint a picture. Perhaps the one oddball track is In Union We Stand just because it's a cover and an interesting one at that. This is not a useless extra at all as sometimes covers can be. First of all, it's an interesting choice for the band picking a stylistically dissimilar thrash metal song. The thing is however that they totally make this song their own and it comes together absolutely beautifully. The chorus is majestic and the song sounds heavy as hell. Kudos boys. I'm a big OverKill fan and this cover put a smile on my face. Communic make this song sound damn epic.

Communic succeed here in putting together a heavy and involving listen from start to finish. Not a weak track. Maybe nothing incredibly new in sound, but I don't really hear Fans crying for it either. Communic has a good formula and they're driving it home here. Recommended to fans of Nevermore and heavier progressive or progressive/power. Might not be a reach to say this band could appeal to anyone who likes dark atmospheres and emotion as strong players in their metal.

Highlights: Flood River Blood, Denial, Wayward Soul, In Union We Stand

Rating - 4.0/5

Beyond The Bridge - The Old Man And The Spirit

Progressive Metal/Rock
Independent

2011

1. The Call
2. The Apparition
3. Triumph Of Irreality
4. The Spring Of It All
5. A World Of Wonders
6. The Primal Demand
7. Doorway To Salvation
8. The Struggle
9. The Difference Is Human
10. Where The Earth And Sky Meet
11. All A Man Can Do

Beyond The Bridge is a band I came across while just combing over random new releases. I tend to do that when I'm bored or in search of something new and give the bands the benefit of a couple song preview. The most worthy/at least decent ones are usually the ones I bother to review. Not a lot of point or excitement in telling people about a band they've never heard of that sucks.

Beyond The Bridge was not an easy band to come by info on, but after listening to this I think this band sounds highly polished for an indy, 'download our album here' sort of band. They identify themselves as progressive rock, but there are certainly enough metal elements to make me feel comfortable reviewing this for a metal site. There is also an interestingly broadway/play vibe at times and some nice progressive elements as well. Overall, this seems sufficiently technical and interesting with some feeling brought in by the over the top broadway elements. The band also boasts a nice trade off between male and female vocals. Both are strong with the male lead varying between some slightly gruffer vocals and soaring at others.

Beyond The Bridge's songwriting is pretty creative and that's probably the band's strongest point. The music is pretty all over the place and not afraid to experiment with it's style. Not all of this is immediately catchy or has a heavy drive but there are heavy moments and the sound is pretty good. Maybe not my 'ideal' band if there is such a thing, but the music is definitely varied and experimental and I can see prog fans liking this. For me, the highlights come early as the heaviest stuff pretty much does. Worth a listen if you like the idea of an all over the place progressive band with kind of a score feel to their music.

Highlights: The Call, The Apparition

Rating - 3.0/5

Arch/Matheos - Sympathetic Resonance

Progressive Metal
Metal Blade
2011

1. Neurotically Wired
2. Midnight Serenade
3. Stained Glass Sky
4. On The Fence
5. Any Given Day (Strangers Like Me)
6. Incense and Myrrh

It would be a rather large understatement to say that I was excited when I heard John Arch was returning to the metal scene for a full album of music. Early Fates Warning has a very special place with me and it was in no small part due to the crazy wails and haunting vocals of this man. More than that, I didn't enter with a lot of skepticism considering the A Twist Of Fate EP which came not so long ago. I knew the man could still sing and I knew that Matheos could write music for him as well as ever. I guess the only question was what this newly named project would sound like and if the music would hold up over a full length album.

All I can say is that I was as blown away by this as I fully hoped I would be. I won't waste a lot of time here in telling you this kicks ass and you should own it. Sympathetic Resonance isn't quite the same as the very melodic A Twist Of Fate material, but rather sounds more like what Fates Warning could have become if John Arch stayed in the band. I have to say here that I have never really been a fan of Alder or much of what Fates Warning became after him. I guess it's just the fact it never lived up to the standard set previously for me and Alder never could bring the same kind of wild passion and utterly metal feel that Arch could. Really this album has just made me re-appreciate Jim Matheos and also the kind of magic these two have when working together.

Musically I'd say there are some reminders of old Fates Warning, but at the same time this is not at all a rehash, nor does it feel dated in any way. A part of me knows that some of this material was written to be new Fates Warning, but it feels like Arch works into it no problem and that maybe even some of this was tweaked for him. Either that or the band was intending to get back to their roots a bit even before Arch's involvement. There are much larger shades of progressive metal in this than the earlier, more direct material, but at the same time Arch makes it feel his own and there are those hints of the classic material. A perfect balance really. The songs are heavy enough, have memorable leads with solid hooks, and at the same time have nice nuances to make them thoroughly involving. No small feat is the fact that Sympathetic Resonances boasts 3 epic length tracks out of 6 yet none of them seem to overlong or, on the other end of the spectrum, too convoluted. One other interesting note on songwriting would be Incense And Myyrh which is the only track where Arch gets the primary writing credit. That one reminds me the most of the EP and also of the more melodic and haunting moments of Awaken & Spectre. A nice touch at the end.

There's just no reason at all that Arch fans shouldn't love this album. None that I can see anyways. I am one happy old school Fates Warning fan right now. This is the kind of album where the hardest part is picking the highlights since everything kicks my ass. So many years later and I'd put this next to Arch in his prime without hesitation. From the dark moodiness of Midnight Serenade, The heavy power of Stained Glass Sky, the energy of Any Given Day, to the gripping melodic nature of Incense And Myyrh this album absolutely succeeds.

Highlights: Any Given Day, Stained Glass Sky, Incense And Myyrh.

Rating - 4.5/5

Vanden Plas - The Seraphic Clockwork

Progressive Metal
Frontiers

2010

1. Frequency
2. Holes In The Sky
3. Scar of an Angel
4. Sound of Blood
5. The Final Murder
6. Quicksilver
7. Rush of Silence
8. On My Way to Jerusalem

After a 4 year absence, Vanden Plas return with this, their latest effort. I've always been a moderate fan of Vanden Plas if not a huge one. In general, I'm not a big fan of progressive metal although I certainly do like some. I just tend to find more losers than winners in this subgenre.

Generally, I tend to tune out when bands get too long winded and experimental with less focus on good hooks. Vanden Plas can be a little one the self indulgent side with the long solo/jazz fusion sections, but not so much I can't enjoy their music. I think the difference maker is their riffs still tend to have some muscle and they don't get too bogged down it in.

On this one Vanden Plas pretty much lives up to my expectations and maybe even exceeds them a bit. Where as the last one was moderately enjoyable, I find myself digging the songs a bit more here. Chalk it up to inspiration in the songwriting process I guess, as stylistically not much has changed here. This may be just a little more riff oriented though or at least on some tracks. The shorter songs (and by shorter I mean 5 or 6 minutes) do tend to be my favorite songs as they're just more direct and to the point. Epics like On My Way To Jerusalem just seem a little long winded and do less for me, though none of these tracks are bad in any way.

Vanden Plas' basic sound could be summed up most concisely as heavier Dream Theater with more of a European touch and maybe a bit of Symphony X in the riffs, if not quite as heavy in vocals or even the riffs. Still, there's enough power and heaviness to keep me interested. There are also some nice orchestral touches to be found here and there.

In conclusion this a pretty worthy progressive metal album that doesn't get too bogged down in trying to be progressive. Make no mistake though, this is a prog album and I wouldn't really call it prog-power even if there is a slight touch of power. Definitely leans more the other way. I would recommend this one to fans of Dream Theater, Elegy, etc. If you're looking for a new progressive album than this might be up your alley.

Highlights: Frequency, Scar Of An Angel, Sound Of Blood

Rating - 3.5/5

Royal Hunt - X

Progressive/Melodic Metal
Frontiers
2010

1. Episode X (Arrival)
2. End Of The Line
3. King For A Day
4. The Well
5. Army Of Slaves
6. Shadowman
7. Back To Square One
8. Blood Red Stars
9. The Last Leaf
10. Falling Down
11. Epidose X (Departure)

Royal Hunt's last album, Paradox II: Collision Course, is one of those albums I'd probably rate higher in retrospect. The thing with reviews is you can only have so much time with the albums before you want to write a review and get it out. Then there is that 'growth' factor which can take awhile. The bottom line though is that I loved the last album, even if it took a bit for Mark Boals to fully click with me in particular.

With this album the band had stated they wanted to draw on some of their roots/classic rock influences, etc and I can hear a lot of that in the finished product indeed. I think the combination of being on Frontiers (which is in large part known for it's melodic rock/metal), having Mark Boals in the fold, and this conscience effort to draw on older rock influences all led the band in the same sort of direction. You can still hear Royal Hunt's sort of touch to the music, but in large part this one feels much more like a melodic rock/metal album than the epic progressive album that Paradox II was. I find X a pretty good listen, but it does lack that extra something in both creativity and power that the last one had and that's a little bit of a let down for me. This seems to focus more on smooth melodies than ever really kicking ass or even grand atmospheres. That being said there are some catchy groove riffs, like in the song Army Of Slaves, which I dig. Really the all out melodic rock songs have some solid hooks at times, even if they're not exactly what I came into this looking for.

The bottom line would be that this just isn't as grand and epic of an experience as Paradox II was, but it is none the less not a bad album. Just not as classic as the previous. I'm sure this is still worth picking up for Royal Hunt fans.

Highlights: Army Of Slaves, Back To Square One, End Of The Line

Rating - 3.5/5

Roswell Six - Terra Incognita: A Line In The Sand

Progressive Metal/Rock
ProgRock Records
2010

1. Barricade
2. Whirlwind
3. The Crown
4. Loyalty
5. My Father's Son
6. When God Smiled on Us
7. Need
8. Spiral
9. Victory

The first album from Roswell Six very much caught my attention. The concept behind this band of telling the story of the Terra Incognita books through song was an interesting idea and I am a fan of Erik Norlander and more particularly Lana Lane. When I heard a new one was coming I was certainly interested in hearing more from the assembly of musicians/vocalists on the last album.

Unfortunately, this is not at all what I got. Aside from the name it's pretty hard to tell this is in any way the same band. Really, besides the fact Erik Norlander remains the songwriter and man behind the band it isn't. The only vocalist who remains from the last album to front these songs is Michael Sadler and the rest of the vocalists recruited are not as strong. On this album the other singers include Steve Walsh, Sass Jordan, Alex Froese, Nick Storr, Charlie Dominici, Juan Roos, and Arjen Lucassen, none of whom greatly impress me.

More of a let down though is the shift in musical direction as this seems heavier, but not to it's benefit. While the last album bridged progressive metal and rock with a symphonic touch that did remind me of Lana Lane, this one seems like more of a mediocre 'heavy' progressive metal album with none of that symphonic flare. Actually progressive is probably even a stretch. Seriously, this sounds nothing at all like the debut's style of which I was looking forward to more of. Also, call me crazy but on an album covering high fantasy storytelling I expect some dramatic, epic flare and this does not have it at all. None of these songs have that big punch and thus the album ends up lacking standouts.

This album is basically a total letdown for me and fairly mediocre. Actually the best expression of this album's lack of vocal power in particular can be seen in the fact my favorite track is the heavy and somewhat epic sounding instrumental Battleground which tells a better story through it's music than any of the songs here do through the lyrics. I wouldn't really recommend this one as it's just not a very successful prog metal or rock album.

Highlights: Battleground, Barricade

Rating - 2.5/5

Aspera - Ripples

Progressive Metal
Inside Out

2010

1. Intro
2. Ripples
3. Do I Dare?
4. Remorse
5. Between Black & White
6. Catatonic Coma
7. Torn Apart
8. Traces Inside
9. Reflections
10. The Purpose

Ripples is the first album by Norwegian progressive metallers Aspera and one I randomly decided to check out after listening to a couple tracks on their myspace. I'm not a huge progressive metal fan and it's not my top genre, but what they had sounded pretty good.

Ironically, I do find progressive metal to be one of the most stagnant of metal genres and this is fairly familiar in sound with it's spacey keyboards, etc, but I do find myself enjoying this album anyways. At the end of the day it boils down to songs and I believe these guys are pretty good songwriters. What boosts this album for me is simply put a good sense of melody as the music does focus more on atmosphere and flowing passages. There are enough heavier riffs to remind you this is a metal album, but it definitely strays toward the lighter end. Vocally, I hear a bit of Jorn Lande and maybe Jonny Lindqvist of Nocturnal Rites in his more melodic/aor-ish moments. What Ripples reminds me of is a softer take on some of their noted influences like Pagan's Mind and Symphony X. Aspera generally doesn't have as much edge as these bands, but Ripples does kind of feel like the lighter parts of those bands strung together into a flowing piece of atmospheric music. Not such a bad thing and I can see this being a good 'laid back mood' sort of album.

The short of this one would be if you like progressive metal on the melodic side then this might be worth checking out. For a debut, it's pretty well put together with a pleasing sound to the ear. Probably not anything revolutionary, but worth seeking for fans of lighter prog and melodic/aor metal.

Highlights: Ripples, Do I Dare?, Catatonic Coma

Rating - 3.5/5

Roswell Six - Terra Incognita: Beyond The Horizon

Symphonic Progressive Metal/Rock
ProgRock Records

2009

1. Ishalem
2. The Call Of The Sea
3. I Am The Point
4. Here Be Monsters
5. Letters In A Bottle
6. Halfway
7. Anchored
8. The Sinking Of The Luminara (Instrumental)
9. The Winds Of War
10. Swept Away
11. Beyond The Horizon
12. Merciful Tides
13. The Edge Of The World (Instrumental)

Roswell Six is a new project band led by Erik Norlander and a part of a very ambitious and unique idea. This band all started with the writing of the book Beyond The Horizon by Kevin J Anderson who had the idea to write song lyrics for an album to coincide with the book's release. This is the first time I've ever seen that the material is not so much inspired by the author, but actually by him and makes for a lot of potential in terms of the concept of the album. Couple that with the excellent choice of Erik Norlander to write the music and you have an album that has my interest peaked.

Roswell Six's Terra Incognita is also driven by an interesting collection of musicians. This album assigns characters to four different singers which includes some great talent. On board for this album are Norlander's wife Lana Lane (of course), James LaBrie of Dream Theater, John Payne of Asia, and Michael Sandler formerly of Saga. Along with Erik Norlander (and I'm guessing the author himself) this makes up the core of the band. There are numerous other instrumental contributors.

The result of this collaboration is a blend between the progressive metal and rock influences contained within and Erik Norlander & Lana Lane have always ridden the line between both at any rate. There is enough muscle behind a lot of this music for me to comfortably call it a metal release however and songs like I Am The Point and Call Of The Sea blaze away in fine fashion. Really these songs do remind me of Lana Lane's heavier material and particularly some of the songs at the beginning of her last album, Red Planet Boulevard. I'd say there are more progressive metal numbers than rock ones and the heaviness adds power to the release. There are some softer moments as well as the album does shift moods into more melodic, ballad-esque numbers like Letters In A Bottle, Merciful Tides, and Beyond The Horizon, but that is also fairly typical of an album covering a concept like this. These sorts of songs are fantastic as well and boosted by some really emotive singing. The music and singing on this release just come across in fine fashion and I could not think of someone more appropriate to a sort of symphonic fantasy soundtrack than Erik Norlander. Between the author bringing the sense of the books to the music and Norlander's talent for big and epic sounds this is a definite win that seems to capture the source material judging by the lyrics. Also worth noting are two excellent instrumentals which fit well beside the lyrics and present their own feeling which benefits the album. The heaviest and my favorite tunes do seem to come early on in the release, but I enjoy it all and would not classify anything here as weak.

Talent, songwriting, and a lyrical concept like none other make quite a combination and an enjoyable listen. I would highly recommend Terra Incognita to fans of both progressive rock and metal and if you like Norlander/Lana Lane than this is absolutely essential. I personally find a lot of substance to this album and it is everything a good concept release should be. I for one plan to pick up a copy of this album for myself as well as the book. Any author with this good of taste can't be all bad right? As this is the beginning of a fantasy novel series I hope this means more albums like this.

Highlights: I Am The Point, Ishalem, Here Be Monsters, The Call Of The Sea

Rating - 4.0/5

Queensryche - American Soldier

Progressive Metal/Rock
Rhino

2009

1. Sliver
2. Unafraid
3. Hundred Mile Stare
4. At 30,000 Ft.
5. A Dead Man's Words
6. The Killer
7. Middle Of Hell
8. If I Were King
9. Man Down!
10. Remember Me
11. Home Again
12. The Voice

Queensryche greatly surprised me with Operation: Mindcrime II. It was pretty remarkable how they could come back after so many years of progressive/ alternative rock lameness and really make something metal again. Certainly, that album did bring a lot of renewed interest back to the band from fans who had long ago left Queensryche for dead.

Lose all such expectations for American Soldier right away. This is nothing at all like the metal on OM2 and the band shows it's true colors again immediately. Queensryche may have once been a metal band, but that ship has sailed. Really, I think the only reason they went back to that well at all is to try to renew interest in the band with what the fans wanted. This album however is probably more of what the band wants.

What American Soldier gives the listener is a lack of heaviness, any good wails Geoff Tate once became popular for, and gag worthy conceptual/political drivel. If you want to hear annoying voice overs coupled with chuggy riffs than Unafraid is the song for you. If it's more annoying shouts and alt rock that you want then Sliver stacks up right next to something like POD - Youth Of A Nation in terms of pure suck. With lyrics like 'I'm gonna tell ya what's up now' and 'this shit is for real' I wanted to bang my head against my desk and pray for sweet unconsciousness to save me. This is only a sample of the horrible music contained within but really it doesn't get any better. The rest of this album just drags on with no metal heaviness. This is simply put not a heavy or metal album and it drags on without a single good moment.

There is nothing good about this. Nothing at all. In trying to come up with a rating for this album I kept trying to logic how low the rating should be and what I came up with is this. There is nothing worthy of even adding a half point to the rating. About as awesomely bad as that Geoff Tate solo album.

Highlights: None

Rating - 0/5

Royal Hunt - Paradox II: Collision Course

Progressive Metal
Frontiers

2008

1. Principles of Paradox
2. The First Rock
3. Exit Wound
4. Divide and Reign
5. High Noon at the Battlefield
6. The Clan
7. Blood In Blood Out
8. Tears of the Sun
9. Hostile Breed
10. Chaos A.C.

After over a decade, Royal Hunt have decided to sequel what is probably their most popular album to date and certainly my favorite release of theirs, Paradox. I had a fair amount of uncertainty going into this one with John West leaving them without a singer shortly before the album was recorded. Finding a vocalist to fill DC Cooper's shoes was hard enough but now a new vocalist would have to follow in the wake of two vocal giants like DC and John West.

After listening to this I'm not sure I'm ready to say Mark Boals can match either vocalist in terms of sheer talent, he does fit the band quite well as he can muster both an effective high range that recalls DC while most of the time keeping an earthy melodic mid-range that is a pretty good fit for John West. Certainly, I can see why they picked Boals and he should handle all eras of the band admirably live. But back on the note of the album itself, I must say it did take a couple listens before I warmed to Boals and I suspect it may take others the same as it is still an adjustment.

In terms of the music, I've gotta say that this album manages to capture the vibe and lyrical content of the first Paradox well while not going backward in time as the music still has that melodic flow of the John West material. In a way this album captures both new and old's strength as I find this album more cohesive without all the interludes the John West material was sometimes overfilled with, but it has the gripping melodic vocal lines and power of the newer. A change in vocals has not really altered the formula in the sense that this should be in a familiar vein and welcome to longtime fans.

Basically, this is a nice homage to a classic without being cheesy and an attempt at entirely redoing what has already been done and I think it should please any Royal Hunt fan. If you're not familiar with the band this could make for a pretty good intro for a band who's been around quite awhile now but sometimes gos overlooked. Fans of great melodic and creative music that still has some balls and energy should take note.

Highlights: Exit Wound, The First Rock, High Noon At The Battlefield, The Clan

Rating - 4.0/5

Evergrey - Torn

Power/Progressive
SPV

2008

1. Broken Wings
2. Soaked
3. Fear
4. When Kingdoms Fall
5. In Confidence
6. Fail
7. Numb
8. Torn
9. Nothing Is Erased
10. Still Walk Alone
11. These Scars

To be perfectly honest from the start, Evergrey is a name I haven't cared about in like 5 years. Ever since Recreation Day this band has been on a total downslide for me as I haven't enjoyed much of anything on the past couple releases. Neither of them seemed to have the same dramatic touch that Tom Englund can bring to the band when he is on. At times on The Inner Circle and Monday Morning Apocalypse I simply felt his performances sounded phoned in or flat out bad with some noticeable straining of his voice. To me a large part of the memorability of this band can be found in the vocal melodies and choruses and without good ones the atmosphere of the band just suffered.

I'm happy to say though that on Torn however Evergrey has seemingly rebounded in fine fashion and this album sounds like the logical follow up to Recreation Day that I've been waiting for. Englund once again finds his niche and those choruses will stick in your head and not let go. The music itself also seems to step up as the riffs have a lot of heaviness to them. Combined with the dramatic vocals this makes for a nice melodic album with a bit of a dark feel to it and just enough muscle. The formula hasn't changed drastically, it just seems like better all around performances from the band without those sour notes that dragged the songs under for me. I knew the band was capable and honestly I'm not sure what was happening over the past couple, but I'm glad to hear the sound of the band back in shape.

Basically, as I think I've stated, this is Evergrey in top form so if you like the band then this is a worthwhile listen. Evergrey have it within them to be towards the top of the heap of power/progressive if they can keep writing songs like this and keep pulling good performances from Englund.

Highlights: Broken Wings, Fear, Numb, Torn

Rating - 4.0/5