I am unsure where I misplaced it, but I think it was NEARFEST 2000 i picked up a RecordHEaven.net sampler disc for $1 and Mind's Eye was on there. I recall them sounding very dream theater-clonish. But It was only 1 song and I maybe spun the disc twice b4 I misplaced it. I may have to d/l some now. The bands I was told on here who were similar to Enchant were:
Catherdral
Maximum Indifference
I personally don't have as much interest in a band who sounds exactly like Enchant or close to them, rather just a band who has the delicate blend of Heaviness and Melodicness like Enchant. Soundscape is/was the band I think many Enchant fans would go for. They played at Powermad 97-99 I guess (I missed them 3 yrs in row since I barely knew them back then and had no $ to travel unfortunately). But Soundscape and Thorne (the frontman's project with members of Soundscape..ala Xen) are *special* to me in that they capture the light/heavy mix unlike most if not all other prog. Rob Volpintesta has a beautiful voice and is unbelievable keytar/ keyplayer esp when invoving bubbly keys. Todd Rose maybe the most underecognized guitarist out there. The guy can play any style, from shredding, to G3 arpeggios, etc. Their debut album "Discovery" is 78 minutes of a story about a boy who learns about growing up to be a man. I am in the process of writing a novel loosely influenced by this album.
The Rec. Co the frontman Rob Volpintesta formed's website is currently down but here are the main info I can find online about them:
Some info on Soundscape can be found here:
www.progressiveworld.net/soundscape.html
www.toddroseonline.com/scape/
www.throttlebox.com/Box/r.../285.shtml
and here is exceprts of a review of Soundscape's show at
Powermad'99:
www0.org/prog/gigs/powermad99.shtml
" Despite the long wait, these guys were the best band up to that point. Thorne is a total poser, but he's such a great frontman that it doesn't bother me. His vocals and keywork are fantastic. Todd Rose was definitely the best metal guitarist present. I'd probably even consider him one of the top 5 guitarists in progressive metal right now. He is incredibly versatile - he's fantastic at shred, fantastic at rhythm, and always play the appropriate solos without wanking out. The new material contains a lot of stuff that is wah-ed stuff done right (to my liking). It sounds more like progressive metal than rock, but doesn't rely on excess dt-clonage. They have their own unique sound. Overall - great musicians & vocalists, fantastic stage show, and superb writing. I already have all their stuff, except for the new stuff that hasn't arrived in the mail yet (hint hint)......Say what you want about the 2-hr soundcheck, I know it's not fair, but when you put on a show like these guys do, at least the wait is worth it. These are serious musicians, and when you have a Todd Rose in the band, it's hard not to be recognized. Todd is absolutely one of the best guitarists I've ever seen, period. The guy plays a style different from most in which he uses his leads as rhythm. His humble personality and friendly approach to fans make him one of the best examples of a musician ever. Thorne can be dramatic, as showcased at this show, but the guy can work a crowd and play like no other front man can. Hey, about the hat, I called him and asked him to bring it to the show and he said "absolutely" ....... There is no mistaking his unique vocal approach either. With a massive bottom end behind them, the band just smokes the stage from top to bottom, and let me just say for the record, that Soundscape has played all 3 Powermad shows, and have the distinct honor of having the crowd yell "MORE" at all 3 shows, even bringing them back for an encore last year. When they are able to transfer this massive, thunderous energy to a disc in the future, the band will make a serious dent in the music world."
I hope some Enchant fans will check them out someday.