DEMONSPELL'S SONGS TO WATCH
Is there life after issue 40?
An Alliance Production
written June 3-4, 2002
Greetings, devoted readers, and those who may have just stumbled on to this page. Id like to begin my introduction by responding to an anonymous comment I received about my last issue, which read exactly as follows: This shit sucks you need to put music downloads on your web. Im interested in knowing where this esteemed fellow learned to read and write, and how I suddenly became the owner of a web. First of all, my column contains only recommendations and no direct links to mp3s, although frequent readers know I provide links to legitimate mp3s whenever they are available. And if youre looking for downloads, its only a matter of searching for the songs Ive listed.
On a more positive note, can you think of anything more awesome than Mike Portnoy, Kevin Moore, Daniel Gildenlow, Jim Matheos, and Sean Malone working together? Probably yes if youre not a fan of progressive metal J And now, the songs
Anekdoten - Harvest, Slow Fire: One of Swdens most highly regarded progressive rock acts, and with good reason. The former song from Nucleus alternates between fragile sections and a monstrous lead riff, and the latter sounds like its title, gradually building in intensity. Critics often claim the band sounds too much like King Crimson and how is that a bad thing? J
Bozzio Levin Stevens - The Sun Road, Book Of Hours: Two lengthy excursions from the supremely talented instrumental trios Black Light Syndrome album. Great acoustic work on both passages, and the rhythm section has ample opportunities to display their unique approaches to their respective instruments.
Dark Tranquillity - Hours Passed In Exile, Single Part Of Two: Regarded by many as Gothenburgs most talented band (currently active at least, although theyve been around longer than At The Gates ), their long awaited followup to Haven will be out next month. And these tracks do not disappoint, the former sounding like the best from that album with a heavier edge, while the latter has an awesome keyboard intro. Another new song available at official site.
Dimension - Vanity Calls, Fearland: Mexican (!) prog-metal act discovered through the greatest online radio station in existence, Progged Radio. Former song is a ballad interrupted by some excellent instrumental sections, while the latter is a more energetic composition, equal parts prog and power metal. Definitely a promising newcomer
Eidolon Hunt You Down, Shattered Image: American power metal act, who like most in the genre from this country have a more aggressive sound than their European counterparts. Former track, available at www.metalexpress.no, features an addictive chorus, while the longer latter track allows them to prove their instrumental abilities.
Engine - Realize, The Perfect Star: Side project of one of the premier voices in progressive metal, Ray Alder. As much as I want to hate this for straying completely from the technical mastery of Fates Warning and going in a much more generic modern rock direction, the chorus of the latter is undeniably catchy. But please get to work on a new FW album.
Grey Skies Fallen - The Essence Of Motion, Dream The Day Away: Death metal act from New Jersey who has done some extensive touring and received much attention among followers of the genre. Both of these tracks find the band learning from the innovators in the genre, thankfully offering more than mere brootality. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Insomnium - Medeia, Shades Of Deep Green: One of the best debuts of the first half of this year (I know, not saying much), this band goes in the progressive melodic death direction explored by kindred spirits Amorphis during the mid-90s. And in many ways, their instrumental prowess is at least equal to that shown on Elegy, and is in no way derivative. Second song available at official site.
Kalmah - Principle Hero, Human Fates: They will return? I am so frightened right now, and I dont even know who they are. Enough cracks about the album title, the former song, available at www.centurymedia.com, is one of the best melodic death tracks Ive heard in a while, alternating between razor-sharp riffs and well-placed keyboards, beating Children Of Boredom at their own game. The latter track also has a memorable lead riff.
Lana Lane - Life Is Only A Dream, Redemption pt. 1: The prolific vocalist returns with Project Shangri-La. As on her earlier albums, there seems to be an equal amount of slower and more progressive metal leaning tracks, both of these fall into the latter category, the former having a particularly memorable chorus and a propulsive lead riff.
Landmarq - Ta' Jiang, Tippi Hedren: A pair of tracks from this British progressive rock act, whose first two albums featured Threshold/Ayreon vocalist Damian Wilson. Former track, whose title means great river, is an accomplished sixteen-minute epic featuring many powerful sections. Latter track also features some skilled instrumentation.
Land Of Chocolate - Upping The Ante, Self Control: Progressive rock act featuring members of Echolyn, a band that has received much praise but Ive never cared for. Despite not being that much different in sound (and having a moronic name), I like these songs enough to warrant inclusion, especially the former, whose opening riff and harmonies on the chorus grab you from the start. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Looking Glass Self The Valparaiso Dreaming, The Lonely Views Of Condors: Progressive rock project featuring the three core members of the defunct and absurdly brilliant tech-metal act Sieges Even. Both songs feature some beautifully evocative guitar playing from Markus Steffen, who especially shines on the latter instrumental. Former track, available in two different versions on the official site, features vocals from Andre Matos, a strange addition but not entirely out of place, but I could be wrong, especially since hes no longer involved.
Mostly Autumn - Evergreen, Helm's Deep: Female fronted progressive rock act who has released four albums to date, the last being a concept based on Lord Of The Rings, as the title of the latter instrumental (from an earlier release though) would suggest. Former track from Spirit Of Autumn Past features some soaring vocals and an excellent closing instrumental section.
Nightwish - Bless The Child, Dead To The World: See the last issue for a rundown of the whole chain of events surrounding this band, and Sinergys official page for their side of the story. Unfortunately, their loss isnt necessary Nightwishs gain, as I feel Marco is a terrible vocalist, doing much to ruin the attempts at a harder edge on the latter track. The former fares much better, but I cant help but think it wouldnt stand its own on Wishmaster
Outlander - Transformation, Planetwalker: Independent progressive act, a three-piece consisting of three brothers how nice. J Both of the songs are impressive for a demo-quality debut, the latter particularly having a strong riff. Rush fans may find the opening verse on the former a bit too familiar
Rapture - About Leaving, Someone I Don't Know: Reader suggested doom act who has released one album called Futile. No self-fulfilling prophecy in the title however, as the songs are quite impressive, especially the drawn out instrumental section in the former and the clean passages in the latter. Fans of Katatonia and My Dying Bride should enjoy this, available at www.mp3.com
Solitude Aeternus - Transcending Sentinels, Seeds Of The Desolate: Regarded as a pioneering doom metal act (one of the first US acts to head in that direction), and respected by Maiden fans for their cover of Hallowed, the former track is a dark and lengthy piece of depression from their debut, while the latter track is equally arresting
Sun Caged - Sides, Caught Somewhere In Time: Dutch progressive act featuring ex-Within Temptation drummer Dennis Leeflang and ex-Lemur Voice guitarist Marcel Coenen. They do a great job covering Maiden (a song featuring one of my favorite intros of all time), and their vocalist (who has since left) bears more than a passing resemblance to Bruce. Former song has an excellent chorus, available at www.mp3.com and/or their official site.
Tad Morose - No Tears In The Rain, The Dragon Tide: Veterans of the power metal scene, their two albums for Century Media have attracted quite a few positive reviews. Latter track from the earlier A Mended Rhyme finds the band working in an area between neoclassical bombast and traditional metal, while the former has a great chorus.
Vision Divine - The Call, Send Me An Angel: Yes, this does feature the vocalist from noted cheese factory Rhapsody. But I can include this for three reasons: 1. He doesnt sound as ridiculously strained here. 2. The empty bombast and neoclassical pretensions are for the most part absent here. 3. The band contains half of Labyrinth, and their guitar-keyboard interplay remains intact, particularly on the former song.
Wars Of Winter - Crimson Auras, The Epiphany: Unsigned Canadian act discovered on the Opeth forum, playing a similar variety of death metal with long prog-influenced instrumental sections. As I said earlier in this column, how is that a bad thing? J Former track succeeds in creating a dark atmosphere. Both songs available at ww.mp3.com, like you need to be told.
White Willow - Paper Moon, The Crucible: Another female-fronted progressive rock act who has received many positive reviews from critics. Former track, available at www.lasercd.com, contains some moments of great beauty. Latter instrumental from Sacrament relies heavily on exotic instrumentation and is available on their official site.
Wolverine - North, Time: Swedish progressive metal act who has received much attention for their debut full-length The Window Purpose, often attracting comparisons with Pain Of Salvation. Former track is an exclusive download at their official site, a slower track in the vein of the albums beautiful Leaving Yesterday. Latter song appears on the reissue of their debut EP, but also could have been on the album
Thus ends this chapter. I just realized that I started contributing this column to Ultimate Metal a year ago this month, so in honor of the sites tremendous growth I intend to do a special in which I will provide commentary on every artist whose forum is hosted here, along with reviews of all of the songs featured on Launchpad. Also expect the return of the infamous Songs Not To Watch special
Is there life after issue 40?
An Alliance Production
written June 3-4, 2002
Greetings, devoted readers, and those who may have just stumbled on to this page. Id like to begin my introduction by responding to an anonymous comment I received about my last issue, which read exactly as follows: This shit sucks you need to put music downloads on your web. Im interested in knowing where this esteemed fellow learned to read and write, and how I suddenly became the owner of a web. First of all, my column contains only recommendations and no direct links to mp3s, although frequent readers know I provide links to legitimate mp3s whenever they are available. And if youre looking for downloads, its only a matter of searching for the songs Ive listed.
On a more positive note, can you think of anything more awesome than Mike Portnoy, Kevin Moore, Daniel Gildenlow, Jim Matheos, and Sean Malone working together? Probably yes if youre not a fan of progressive metal J And now, the songs
Anekdoten - Harvest, Slow Fire: One of Swdens most highly regarded progressive rock acts, and with good reason. The former song from Nucleus alternates between fragile sections and a monstrous lead riff, and the latter sounds like its title, gradually building in intensity. Critics often claim the band sounds too much like King Crimson and how is that a bad thing? J
Bozzio Levin Stevens - The Sun Road, Book Of Hours: Two lengthy excursions from the supremely talented instrumental trios Black Light Syndrome album. Great acoustic work on both passages, and the rhythm section has ample opportunities to display their unique approaches to their respective instruments.
Dark Tranquillity - Hours Passed In Exile, Single Part Of Two: Regarded by many as Gothenburgs most talented band (currently active at least, although theyve been around longer than At The Gates ), their long awaited followup to Haven will be out next month. And these tracks do not disappoint, the former sounding like the best from that album with a heavier edge, while the latter has an awesome keyboard intro. Another new song available at official site.
Dimension - Vanity Calls, Fearland: Mexican (!) prog-metal act discovered through the greatest online radio station in existence, Progged Radio. Former song is a ballad interrupted by some excellent instrumental sections, while the latter is a more energetic composition, equal parts prog and power metal. Definitely a promising newcomer
Eidolon Hunt You Down, Shattered Image: American power metal act, who like most in the genre from this country have a more aggressive sound than their European counterparts. Former track, available at www.metalexpress.no, features an addictive chorus, while the longer latter track allows them to prove their instrumental abilities.
Engine - Realize, The Perfect Star: Side project of one of the premier voices in progressive metal, Ray Alder. As much as I want to hate this for straying completely from the technical mastery of Fates Warning and going in a much more generic modern rock direction, the chorus of the latter is undeniably catchy. But please get to work on a new FW album.
Grey Skies Fallen - The Essence Of Motion, Dream The Day Away: Death metal act from New Jersey who has done some extensive touring and received much attention among followers of the genre. Both of these tracks find the band learning from the innovators in the genre, thankfully offering more than mere brootality. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Insomnium - Medeia, Shades Of Deep Green: One of the best debuts of the first half of this year (I know, not saying much), this band goes in the progressive melodic death direction explored by kindred spirits Amorphis during the mid-90s. And in many ways, their instrumental prowess is at least equal to that shown on Elegy, and is in no way derivative. Second song available at official site.
Kalmah - Principle Hero, Human Fates: They will return? I am so frightened right now, and I dont even know who they are. Enough cracks about the album title, the former song, available at www.centurymedia.com, is one of the best melodic death tracks Ive heard in a while, alternating between razor-sharp riffs and well-placed keyboards, beating Children Of Boredom at their own game. The latter track also has a memorable lead riff.
Lana Lane - Life Is Only A Dream, Redemption pt. 1: The prolific vocalist returns with Project Shangri-La. As on her earlier albums, there seems to be an equal amount of slower and more progressive metal leaning tracks, both of these fall into the latter category, the former having a particularly memorable chorus and a propulsive lead riff.
Landmarq - Ta' Jiang, Tippi Hedren: A pair of tracks from this British progressive rock act, whose first two albums featured Threshold/Ayreon vocalist Damian Wilson. Former track, whose title means great river, is an accomplished sixteen-minute epic featuring many powerful sections. Latter track also features some skilled instrumentation.
Land Of Chocolate - Upping The Ante, Self Control: Progressive rock act featuring members of Echolyn, a band that has received much praise but Ive never cared for. Despite not being that much different in sound (and having a moronic name), I like these songs enough to warrant inclusion, especially the former, whose opening riff and harmonies on the chorus grab you from the start. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Looking Glass Self The Valparaiso Dreaming, The Lonely Views Of Condors: Progressive rock project featuring the three core members of the defunct and absurdly brilliant tech-metal act Sieges Even. Both songs feature some beautifully evocative guitar playing from Markus Steffen, who especially shines on the latter instrumental. Former track, available in two different versions on the official site, features vocals from Andre Matos, a strange addition but not entirely out of place, but I could be wrong, especially since hes no longer involved.
Mostly Autumn - Evergreen, Helm's Deep: Female fronted progressive rock act who has released four albums to date, the last being a concept based on Lord Of The Rings, as the title of the latter instrumental (from an earlier release though) would suggest. Former track from Spirit Of Autumn Past features some soaring vocals and an excellent closing instrumental section.
Nightwish - Bless The Child, Dead To The World: See the last issue for a rundown of the whole chain of events surrounding this band, and Sinergys official page for their side of the story. Unfortunately, their loss isnt necessary Nightwishs gain, as I feel Marco is a terrible vocalist, doing much to ruin the attempts at a harder edge on the latter track. The former fares much better, but I cant help but think it wouldnt stand its own on Wishmaster
Outlander - Transformation, Planetwalker: Independent progressive act, a three-piece consisting of three brothers how nice. J Both of the songs are impressive for a demo-quality debut, the latter particularly having a strong riff. Rush fans may find the opening verse on the former a bit too familiar
Rapture - About Leaving, Someone I Don't Know: Reader suggested doom act who has released one album called Futile. No self-fulfilling prophecy in the title however, as the songs are quite impressive, especially the drawn out instrumental section in the former and the clean passages in the latter. Fans of Katatonia and My Dying Bride should enjoy this, available at www.mp3.com
Solitude Aeternus - Transcending Sentinels, Seeds Of The Desolate: Regarded as a pioneering doom metal act (one of the first US acts to head in that direction), and respected by Maiden fans for their cover of Hallowed, the former track is a dark and lengthy piece of depression from their debut, while the latter track is equally arresting
Sun Caged - Sides, Caught Somewhere In Time: Dutch progressive act featuring ex-Within Temptation drummer Dennis Leeflang and ex-Lemur Voice guitarist Marcel Coenen. They do a great job covering Maiden (a song featuring one of my favorite intros of all time), and their vocalist (who has since left) bears more than a passing resemblance to Bruce. Former song has an excellent chorus, available at www.mp3.com and/or their official site.
Tad Morose - No Tears In The Rain, The Dragon Tide: Veterans of the power metal scene, their two albums for Century Media have attracted quite a few positive reviews. Latter track from the earlier A Mended Rhyme finds the band working in an area between neoclassical bombast and traditional metal, while the former has a great chorus.
Vision Divine - The Call, Send Me An Angel: Yes, this does feature the vocalist from noted cheese factory Rhapsody. But I can include this for three reasons: 1. He doesnt sound as ridiculously strained here. 2. The empty bombast and neoclassical pretensions are for the most part absent here. 3. The band contains half of Labyrinth, and their guitar-keyboard interplay remains intact, particularly on the former song.
Wars Of Winter - Crimson Auras, The Epiphany: Unsigned Canadian act discovered on the Opeth forum, playing a similar variety of death metal with long prog-influenced instrumental sections. As I said earlier in this column, how is that a bad thing? J Former track succeeds in creating a dark atmosphere. Both songs available at ww.mp3.com, like you need to be told.
White Willow - Paper Moon, The Crucible: Another female-fronted progressive rock act who has received many positive reviews from critics. Former track, available at www.lasercd.com, contains some moments of great beauty. Latter instrumental from Sacrament relies heavily on exotic instrumentation and is available on their official site.
Wolverine - North, Time: Swedish progressive metal act who has received much attention for their debut full-length The Window Purpose, often attracting comparisons with Pain Of Salvation. Former track is an exclusive download at their official site, a slower track in the vein of the albums beautiful Leaving Yesterday. Latter song appears on the reissue of their debut EP, but also could have been on the album
Thus ends this chapter. I just realized that I started contributing this column to Ultimate Metal a year ago this month, so in honor of the sites tremendous growth I intend to do a special in which I will provide commentary on every artist whose forum is hosted here, along with reviews of all of the songs featured on Launchpad. Also expect the return of the infamous Songs Not To Watch special
