For fans of hard-edged Melodic Prog Metal, I have no hesitation in saying you need to investigate this album.

I first got a heads up about this Brazilian Prog Metal band when Chris Nelson played them on his 'Switchblade Serenade' radio show on ARFM. Their intricate take on Melodic Progressive Metal sounded good to my ears so I despatched a mail to the band and they kindly sent me their album 'The Grand Disguise'.

After living with it for quite some time I can tell you that they have recorded a wonderfully complex album that has comparisons to Dream Theater, Symphony X, Seventh Wonder and Circus Maximus with bits of Iron Maiden also thrown into the mix. I suspect you'll agree that this bodes well for the songs and it does as they are all performed with an energetic verve and filled with a passionate delivery that always keeps you entertained as you listen.

Opener 'Keeping The Dream Alive' is heavy, powerful and played with a relish that only a young, hungry band can achieve. The musicianship from the band is immediately outstanding and in vocalist and guitarist Tiago Masseti they possess a real talent; his unaccented vocals and powerhouse delivery are one of this album's highlights... amongst many others.

Other tracks to look out for are the classy 'Like Darkness Rules The Night' with its strong melodic harmonies and exceptional bass lines courtesy of Tomás Gonzaga, the in your face assault of 'Watch Me Rise' where bass, drums and guitar all fight for supremacy and the wonderfully melodic 'The Age Of Sadness' where again we hear Masseti putting in a huge, emotional performance.

To finish off there is the album's title track which is DDXI's magnum opus. 'The Grand Disguise' is a twenty-four minute epic that encompasses everything from Heavy Metal to Hard Rock and all things in between. This one song is what this whole album seems to be building towards and as you settle down to listen to it, you'll need to grip the arms of your chair hard as you're in for one hell of a ride. A fast paced, all out guitar assault starts things off, then this segues into a softer vocal refrain, which soon explodes into more overblown Progressive Metal that propels the music ever onwards. The whole band are on fire as this song plays and it beggars belief as you listen to it, that this is music from a young band's and their debut album.

As first albums go this one is pretty impressive and Daydream XI are definitely a band to watch out for in the future. For fans of hard-edged Melodic Prog Metal, I have no hesitation in saying you need to investigate this album.

Ian Johnson