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

Lana Lane - El Dorado Hotel

Progressive/Symphonic Rock
Think Tank Media

2012

1. A Dream Full Of Fire
2. Maybe We'll Meet Again
3. El Dorado
4. Darkness Falls
5. Hotels
6. Believe
7. Life Of The Party
8. Gone Are The Days
9. Moon God
10. In Exile

This is another review on the fringes of metal, but Lana Lane is an artist I've always enjoyed. The woman has a great voice and has always walked the line between progressive rock and metal in a way that suits her. The metal connections are obvious in some of the people who she has worked with in her band, etc including her own husband/guitarist Erik Norlander and people such as Arjen Lucassen.

From the first track of El Dorado Hotel I got the feeling something wasn't quite right with this songwriting session though. A Dream Full Of Fire was just too familiar in it's formula and the chorus' utilization of the rhyme fire/desire/higher was enough to evoke a groan from me. Basically, that track had nothing new, inventive, or particularly interesting going on and it was evident from the first listen.

Diving deeper into the album, a lot of it just fails to leave much of an impression. There's nothing really bad here, but nor is there a lot that keeps my attention. Something is definitely missing. This album just doesn't seem to have many good riffs or choruses and falls firmly into the realm of typical melodic rock/metal. The little touches like well used symphonic backing and the occasional really metal sounding riff don't really show up here and the album suffers as a result. The closest this album gets to reaching outside the box is the strange inclusion of vocal distortion on Believe and Moon God which did nothing for me. There's really only one song on this album that jumps out of me and that's Gone Are The Days which actually has kind of a cool groove to it. Darkness Falls has a pretty decent melodic feel as well with a little bit of heaviness in some of the riffs, but I wouldn't say it's her best work either.

Basically, I'd have to say it sounds like the band phoned this one in for the most part. It's the first time I've felt this way about a Lana Lane album and it is a definite disappointment. El Dorado Hotel is the first album of Lana Lane's I just haven't enjoyed all that much.

Highlights: Gone Are The Days, Darkness Falls

Rating - 2.5/5

Queensryche - Dedicated To Chaos

Progressive/Alt Rock
Roadrunner

2011

1. Get Started
2. Hot Spot Junkie
3. Got It Bad
4. Around The World
5. Higher
6. Retail Therapy
7. At The Edge
8. Broken
9. Hard Times
10. Drive
11. I Believe
12. Luvnu
13. Wot We Do
14. I Take You
15. The Lie
16. Big Noize

Queensryche... what can I say? They've had their moments in the past, but I've never been as big on them as some. I mean this band is basically fronted by a douchebag who constantly drones on about how he never liked metal and that's just what the rest of the band wanted to play. It's kind of like the rest of the band are hipster wranglers trying to keep Geoff Tate in check.

Well, on this one Geoff Tate seems to have escaped and now his flag is flying high over the remnants of a metal band. Forget Operation Mindcrime II. If you expect something like that you're going to be more disappointed than someone like me with extremely low expectations is.

To put it simply this is alt rock garbage. I can't even hear anything that reminds me of metal here and it is fucking painful. From Geoff Tate's mewling to the jazzy/funk bass and overtones, this is pure garbage and not even in the tiniest way heavy, interesting, or powerful. To even compare it to such is nonsense. Dedicated To Chaos is Amazing in that "I want to reenact a scene from the movie Event Horizon" kind of way. By the time I was though track 2 I just wanted to stab out my ear drums and forget I'd ever heard of music. The lyrics, the singing, the alt rock... no... I'm fucking out.

This is not metal. This is not good. This is not even tolerable. I can't write anymore and you can't fucking make me. I'm wrapping this with a rant. Forget you ever heard of Queensryche and send this demon spawn into the Phantom Zone or somewhere equally inaccessible. Humanity may have done some screwed up stuff in it's day, but even we don't deserve this. If ever an album deserved a big fat ZERO it is this one. Completely intolerable in every way conceivable. This makes Ozzy's recent works seem like a Mona Lisa quality masterpiece. I considered pulling out a negative number. Thinking of an early heavy metal screamer Queen of the Reich makes me want to weep. Listening to this album was like running a gauntlet. The song titles do NOT lie.

Highlights: Are ya fucking kidding?

Rating - 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

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

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

Nightingale - White Darkness

Progressive Metal/Rock
Black Mark
2007

1. The Fields of Life
2. Trial and Error
3. One Way Ticket
4. Reasons
5. Wounded Soul
6. Hideaway
7. To My Inspiration
8. White Darkness
9. Belief
10. Trust

Nightingale have always been a unique band in the metal scene in that I rarely hear a combination of progressive music and such gothic sounds. An interesting mix for sure and one that I've found has worked exceptionally well for the band in both establishing mood and feeling while keeping the songwriting interesting.

The thing about White Darkness is that it seems more white than dark. Really I get more of a feeling of 70s progressive rock influences than anything else and the music seems more upbeat than somber. You can still hear some of the signatures of Nightingale in the synth and distinct vocals of Dan Swano but it is presented in a considerably different manner. White Darkness seems pretty stripped down for the band and I don't feel like a lot of atmosphere is established. The music is still catchy and the singing still good, but something is definitely missing as this sounds nowhere near as polished and isn't driven by any sort of continual mood. Really if there is any sort of story to the lyrics of this one like past albums it doesn't carry as much weight or impact. I'd have to chalk this one up to being a pretty decent progressive rock album but not very metal sounding and not as moody and dark as in the past.

If you're a fan than some of this may leave you scratching your head, but it'll probably grow on you. It took me a few listens to appreciate what this album offers and I have to admit I'm still wishing for something more emotionally involving than this. I wouldn't really recommend this album to newcomers as this album deviates a bit from what the band has produced in the past and is not their strongest effort.

Highlights: The Fields Of Life, Hideaway

Rating - 3.0/5

Mechanical Poet - Creepy Tales For Freaky Children

Progressive Metal/Rock
CD-Maximum
2007






1. Welcome To Creepy Tales
2. Urban Dreams
3. Bubble Bath
4. Spikyhead + Miremaid
5. Vesperghosts Of Milford Playhouse
6. A Rose For Michelle
7. Dolly
8. Lamplighter
9. The Afterguide
10. Aztec Zombies
11. The Dead, The Living And The City
12. Hide And Seek With Cary Nage
13. Once Upon A Day
14. Zhizn', Smert' I Vechnyj Gorod
15. Poslednij Fregat
16. Prizraki Starogo Teatra

Mechanical Poet are an entirely new band to me, but their stock seems to be climbing. Russian acts seem to have some trouble breaking out beyond their home country, but this one might just do it. They have already managed to secure themselves a slot on ProgPower Europe. Still a long way to go from their small label, but it's a start.

Upon listening to Mechanical Poet I had an exceedingly rare thought... "Well... I've never heard anything like this before". I can't even come up with any comparisons that seem adequate and in a scene as full of bands as metal, that is quite a feat. In the genre of progressive metal in particular I often see very little I'd actually consider progressive and different from what other bands have done. Well this is definitely progressive and unique in the songwriting. If nothing else I think anyone reading this would have to agree with that.

With that being said, it took me a little bit to actually wrap my mind around this release. It's not a typical guitar/technicality wankfest it's the Songwriting which is so incredibly out there. Stylistically I hear flavors of metal, symphonic rock, pop-punk, and alternative rock to name a few. Stunningly atypical but strangely involving and catchy this release manages to craft a sound totally it's own. One drawback of this album could be that some people won't know what to make of it and others who like strictly metal could find the album incorporates styles they don't particularly care for. Personally, I find their tendency to kick down genre barriers to be very refreshing and what is needed to make a truly original release.

Soundwise the band is all over the map, but I'll do my best to try to nail down some idea of their sound here. Vocally the band does not have what I'd call a 'gifted' singer, but it's just one of many elements of the band that strangely works. His sort of whiny and unique sounding voice adds a lot of personality to this band. Musically the guitar is used well and has a pretty metal sound to it. Not extremely showy but it's definitely never stagnant and the songs have plenty of changes to keep one interested. At times the music does stray a bit out of the metal realm into something softer and slicker, but the guitar always comes back in with a solid metal sound. Keyboards and orchestration are both used fairly extensively and add to the songs without taking them over. Both elements tend to work themselves into the backround and give the songs the extra punch they require. Lyrically the band is beyond strange and the song Dolly is a mid-album freaked out track that sounds like it should be part of the soundtrack to something like Nightmare Before Christmas. Actually, the cover art kinda reminds me of something along those lines too. All in all, the title of the album Creepy Tales For Freaky Children ends up seeming really appropriate.

In conclusion, if you want to hear something really new... this is it. I can see the potential for this to be a love or hate album, but personally I give it the thumbs up. If you're into genre fusion music and progressive rock and metal than this might be for you.

Highlights: Urban Dreams, Bubble Bath, A Rose For Michelle, Lamplighter

Rating - 4.0/5

Lana Lane - Red Planet Boulevard

Symphonic Rock
Think Tank Media

2007

1. Into The Fire
2. The Frozen Sea
3. Capture The Sun
4. Jessica
5. Stepford USA
6. Shine
7. Lazy Summer Day
8. No Tears Left
9. Save The World
10. Angels And Magicians
11. The Sheltering Snow
12. Red Planet Boulevard (Instrumental)

Between this and the Tarja Turunen album I'm also reviewing in this round I'm reaching the borders of metal, but what can I say... I've always enjoyed Lana Lane. This symphonic rockette certainly has had some metal moments in her career & music the likes of which include guest spots in Ayreon and her husband Erik Norlander's own band. Not to mention that in listening to most Lana Lane albums I hear more than a couple metal riffs working there way into her music and her efforts have included some well known metal artists like Vinny Apice, George Lynch, and Arjen Lucassen.

On this album there is definitely some metal to be found, even if the whole album can not be painted as such. The first 3 tracks in particular highlight a nice heavy guitar sound and driving rhythm that guide them through majestic and powerful song structures. There is also a hint of a dark vibe even as Lana Lane's voice soars which I really dig about Into The Fire and The Frozen Sea. After these two and Capture The Sun things become a bit more sedate but if you like symphonic and progressive rock oriented music then there is still a lot to like here. From the funky groove of Shine which has some damn cool guitar to the mellow tropical sound of Lazy Summer Day this album has no shortage of variety and it makes for some really interesting listening. No Tears Left is also worth mentioning as a track with some heavy moments when the song builds to the chorus and Save The World has a nice heavy lurch to the guitar. The only track which I find lacking is the unnecessary inclusion of the title track which is a strange mish mash of instrumental bits from earlier songs in the album. I'll forgive this album one silly track though.

Basically if you like a majestic and epic sounding female vocalist coupled with progressive and interesting song structures then you should check out Lana Lane. Entirely metal? No. Entirely creative and interesting? Yes.

Highlights: Into The Fire, The Frozen Sea, Shine

Rating - 3.5/5