Second album by the Swiss progressive metallers.
This is the Swiss progressive metallers' second album and it sees them move in a heavier direction. This record is rooted in the prog genre due to Marc Petralito's keyboard sound and songs with more time changes than the speaking clock, but otherwise it could be labelled power metal or even thrash at times. Operating where the likes of Symphony X do, this is prog that doesn't make you stroke your chin but rather it bangs you over the head with a fist; repeatedly. The twin guitar attack of Pat Gerber and Peter Berger (sound like the anagram brothers) is brimming with ideas from fine technical soloing to riffs that'll loosen your fillings. The heaviness is compounded by drummer Yves Luthi, who must have worn a hole in his double bass drum in the making of this record. There is a marvellously overblown production sound that is totally apt for this style of bombastic metal.
It's not only the instrumentation that shifts constantly in direction, the vocals trampoline too with two lead vocalists; Gerber and Omar Cuna. The former has a hard James Hetfield voice where the latter operates at a higher register, and Dan Swano guests, providing growls that most death metal bands would kill for and this sonic variety is impressive, if not always easy on the ear. However, all the changes in the music means it never gets as oppressive sounding as a straight thrash or power metal album sometimes can.
It sets out its stall with 'Mirror Eyes' which has the most melodic chorus on the record. '2nd God' shows off tricky breakdowns and some great old school Deep Purple keyboard flurries before the guitar comes in and frazzles your brain again. The interplay between the players demonstrates what a team effort this band's sound is. 'Sweet Enemy' has a heads down, thrash fuelled heart which is followed by the ten minute 'Destination' which also pummels you to the floor.
It's not all peddle to the metal though as there are mellow acoustic guitar parts, tinkling ivories and even, whisper it, dance beats on 'The Call Of Eve'. If you ever wondered what Two Unlimited would sound like with huge slabs of guitar, double bass drumming and large harmony vocals, then this is the track for you. '…I Said Silence' has more traditional prog elements with a lighter vocal and keys before the death growls and galloping guitar remind you it's 2011. Where the record falls down is that it doesn't have the melodic hooks that the likes of Vanden Plas excel at. If you're yearning for melodic choruses you might be disappointed, but if you want riffs like concrete you should find this powerful progressive metal album of interest.
Duncan Jamieson
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