Just so folks know, I liked the band after hearing all three of their releases. However, it was the dvd that kicked my ass and put them on the roster.
For sure, here is my review of it:
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Detritus/message/735
ANDROMEDA - PLAYING OFF THE BOARD (DVD)
(A-/B+) Metal Mind/MVD, 2007
RT: 205:00
[
http://www.andromedaonline.com/ ]
[
http://www.mvdb2b.com/ ]
[
http://www.metalmind.com.pl/ ]
[
http://www.myspace.com/metalmindproductions ]
[
http://www.metalopolis.pl/ ]
Metal Mind does it again with this excellent DVD of Andromeda's
October 2006 performance in Katowice, Poland. I was familiar with the
name but honestly this was my first real exposure to Andromeda, and
I'm happy to say they have made an impressive introduction! PLAYING
OFF THE BOARD shows the band in fine form as they attempt to enliven a
somewhat nonchalant crowd apparently there to witness follow-up bands
Neo and Pendragon (the DVD was shot on the same night as the Pendragon
and Neo live DVDs reviewed in Detritus #411 and #414, respectively).
Polite but lukewarm audience response aside, these pros wow with
plenty of technique and a good selection of songs, executing with
practiced ease such challenging material as melodic opener
"Periscope," chop-heavy instrumental "Chameleon Carneval," "Inner
Circle" with its heavy mid-section riffs, and energetic closing number
"The Words Unspoken." Singer David Fremberg's powerful and impassioned
vocals are a bit of an acquired taste but serve to add a unique
element to the music, helping the band steer clear of the usual Dream
Theater comparisons; actually, to my ears Andromeda are more
comparable to U.K. prog wizards Threshold. The DVD is wonderfully
filmed with a great sound (I used the 2.0 mix), and includes a lot of
bonus material consisting of interviews, amateur footage of the band
having fun as they trek through Europe, older live footage, a bio,
photo gallery and discography. Andromeda fans need to score a copy of
this immediately, and I'd easily recommend PLAYING OFF THE BOARD to
those not yet savvy to Andromeda's artistry...
- Neal Woodall (MysticX9@...)