DEMONSPELLS SONGS TO WATCH
POWER OF PROG EDITION
Written November 8, 2001
Greetings, devoted readers! Im really starting to repeat myself in these intros and I have a long installment of The Progressive News to write, so lets not waste any time
Borknagar Soul Sphere, The Stellar Dome: One of this falls most eaglerly anticipated albums, no doubt due to speculation of how Vintersorg would affect the band, to which I say: Simen who? Both of these songs are excellent, and have great contrast between the heavy and atmospheric sections. Great acoustic work on the latter track.
Cathedral Whores To Oblivion, Templars Arise (The Return): A bit of an enigma with me, as I dislike most of the stoner genre, yet find these guys to be an exception. Maybe because they are definitely the closest to carrying the Black Sabbath lineage. The 13-minute latter track, with its eerie verses and savage breaks, would have been in the Halloween special
Crucible An Imps Tale, Find The Line: Progressive rock in the classic 70s sense discovered through the progradio.net stations. The former song upholds that greatest of prog traditions, the 20-minute epic, and has many great and compelling sections. The latter track is a less impressive, but still impressive, slower song.
Dysrhythmia No Interference, Earthquake: Instrumental progressive rock act from Philadelphia who has put out two self-released albums. Both of these songs are highly impressive and they definitely deserve to get picked up! The intense nine-minute former track available at www.mp3.com
Elvenking A Dreadful Strain, Dweller Of The Rhymes: I know the name sounds like lame fantasy power metal act #3165, but they are different from that, playing folk-inflected metal that I enjoyed more than I thought I would. Another reader suggestion. First song available at www.metalexpress.no, latter at official site.
Evergrey Mark Of The Triangle, Misled: In Search Of Truth has quickly become one of my top ten (possibly five) albums of the year, superb progressive metal with an intoxicating dark atmosphere. The former song is arguably the heaviest on the album, while the latter provides a gripping yet unclear conclusion to the albums storyline.
Leviathan The Door, If These Walls Could Talk: Despite having included this band before, I still know very little about them. But these songs are strong progressive metal, the latter being especially powerful with a strong chorus and great instrumental sections. Both songs from an album called Scoring The Chapters.
Mayadome Primal Secrets, Trifles: I had read several great reviews of this Swedish progressive metal act and both of their albums are on the Progged Radio playlist, but for some reason I didnt really give them a listen until now. Both of these songs are really good, occasionally reminding me of Dream Theater. Vocals could still use some work, though.
Money For The Toll Absence, Balance: Another band discovered through the ever-helpful progradio.net network. Both of these songs are worth your attention, the former has an addictive chorus and an effective lead riff while the latter has impressive instrumentation.
Novembre Winter 1941, Distances: Reader suggested doom metal act that despite having two albums out on Century Media, is still largely unknown. Both of these songs are very good, the latter having some Opeth-like guitar lines while the latter makes great use of clean vocals. Former song available at www.mp3.com, latter at www.centurymedia.com
Persephones Dream Hyperspace Minefield, Tenth Moon: Second Pennsylvania band with self-released albums heard through www.hardprogradio.com to be featured this week. Both of these songs are excellent female-fronted progressive rock with strong arrangements and compelling song structures. Former song available at official site.
Rain Fell Within Alone, A False Reality: Another female-fronted atmospheric metal act, this time working in the doom genre. Both of these songs are lengthy and have strong instrumentation, and their vocalist hits some very high notes. Album Believe has received many positive reviews. Latter song available at www.mp3.com
Jordan Rudess Revolving Door, Crack The Meter: Long awaited solo album from arguably the most talented of Dream Theaters three keyboardists. (they all kick ass, I dont want to start any debates!) Both of these songs are excellent instrumental prog rock, the latter having several eccentric sections while the latter reminds me of his passages from Scenes and has a great guitar solo, available at www.metalexpress.no
Sanvoisen Colours Around, Behind My Dreams: Again, this band has received several rave reviews, but I have neglected them until recently. While having several weaknesses, both of these songs are good enough to warrant inclusion, and the latter has a particularly memorable bassline.
Saviour Machine The Locusts, Image Of The Beast: Reader suggested Christian (I may not agree with their dogma, but Im not going to ignore them simply because of it) progressive metal act who has released a series of albums based on the apocalypse. These songs are heavier and more well-written than their often droning early albums, and have strong vocals from Eric Clayton. Former song available at www.metalexpress.no
Superior Nothing, Tainted Silence: German progressive metal act whose profile should be increased by their opening slot at Progpower (see below). The former nine-minute song has great use of piano and deeply personal lyrics, and has a great conclusion. The latter song from their debut Behind is a heavier song with a few surprises, available at www.666metal.com
Tad Morose Where The Sun Never Shines, Another Time Around: Reader suggested Swedish power/prog metal act who has released several albums to positive reviews, most recently last years Undead. Both of these songs are worthy of inclusion, the latter having an addictive chorus while the latter has a great lead riff and an effective arrangement, available at www.666metal.com
Devin Townsend Canada, Stagnant: Putting those two titles together doesnt imply any insult to Canadian readers! I have been more impressed with the latest release from the enigmatic one-man project, Terria, than previous albums. (didnt care for Strapping Young Lad.) Both of these songs are skilled progressive rock with a heavy emotional aspect, former available at www.mp3.com, latter at www.metalexpress.no
THE PROGRESSIVE NEWS, vol. 3 (I intend this to be a monthly feature in the future)
The big news this week? Definitely the announcement of the completion and release date of Dream Theaters upcoming double album has people marking down January 22nd, 2002 on their calendars. But the really big news is Progpower 2.0 in Atlanta this weekend. Unfortunately I cannot attend what promises to be an incredible event, but for those who are lucky enough, please send a review to demonspell@maidencentral.com and I will include it with proper credit in next weeks Songs To Watch. What follows is the schedule for the concert, with strengths and weaknesses, a recommended album, and three/four songs from it.
Friday
Balance Of Power
Strengths: skillfully integrates progressive touches into melodic rock.
Weaknesses: occasionally annoying vocals, the usual AOR limitations.
Album to own: Perfect Balance
Songs to watch: Higher Than The Sun, Fire Dance, One Voice
Nightingale
Strengths: brooding progressive rock, arguably Dan Swanos greatest triumph.
Weaknesses: guitar sounds thin at times, drum machine on first album.
Album to own: The Closing Chronicles
Songs to watch: Deep Inside Of Nowhere, Alive Again, Thoughts From A Stolen Soul
Angel Dust
Strengths: powerful songs, excellent use of keyboards, great vocals
Weaknesses: frequent lineup changes
Album to own: Enlighten The Darkness
Songs to watch: Cross Of Hatred, The One You Are, Come Into Resistance, Fly Away
Ark
Strengths: versatile vocalist, incredibly skilled guitarist, great songcraft
Weaknesses: occasional lapses into Deep Purple/Whitesnake hard rock
Album to own: Burn The Sun
Songs to watch: Resurrection, Heal The Waters, Absolute Zero, Missing You
Symphony X
Strengths: the best guitar/keyboard interplay in metal, hands down.
Weaknesses: since The Damnation Game, none.
Album were all waiting for: Live On The Edge Of Forever
Songs to watch exclusive: Church Of The Machine at www.metalexpress.no
Saturday
Superior
Strengths: see this weeks entry
Weaknesses: over-reliance on ballads, albums available only by import
Album to own: Younique
Songs to watch: Nothing, Amok, Stop
Spiral Architect
Strengths: Lars Norbergs unreal bass playing, incredible technicality
Weaknesses: Only one album to date
Album to own: A Sceptics Universe
Songs to watch: Insect, Cloud Constructor, Fountainhead, Moving Spirit
Vanden Plas
Strengths: Excellent guitarist, skillful use of keyboards
Weaknesses: occasionally repetitive, cancelled their appearance (replaced by Steel Prophet).
Album to own: The God Thing
Songs to watch: Fire Blossom/Rainmaker, Garden Of Stones, Crown Of Thorns
Evergrey
Strengths: see this weeks entry
Weaknesses: frequent lineup changes, not enough bass, first two albums import-only
Album to own: In Search Of Truth
Songs to watch: Dark Waters, The Masterplan, Watching The Skies, see above
Kamelot
Strengths: great production and strong arrangements
Weaknesses: occasionally inconsistent albums, lapses into power metal
Album to own: Karma
Songs to watch: The Spell, Temples Of Gold, Across The Highlands, Karma
POWER OF PROG EDITION
Written November 8, 2001
Greetings, devoted readers! Im really starting to repeat myself in these intros and I have a long installment of The Progressive News to write, so lets not waste any time
Borknagar Soul Sphere, The Stellar Dome: One of this falls most eaglerly anticipated albums, no doubt due to speculation of how Vintersorg would affect the band, to which I say: Simen who? Both of these songs are excellent, and have great contrast between the heavy and atmospheric sections. Great acoustic work on the latter track.
Cathedral Whores To Oblivion, Templars Arise (The Return): A bit of an enigma with me, as I dislike most of the stoner genre, yet find these guys to be an exception. Maybe because they are definitely the closest to carrying the Black Sabbath lineage. The 13-minute latter track, with its eerie verses and savage breaks, would have been in the Halloween special
Crucible An Imps Tale, Find The Line: Progressive rock in the classic 70s sense discovered through the progradio.net stations. The former song upholds that greatest of prog traditions, the 20-minute epic, and has many great and compelling sections. The latter track is a less impressive, but still impressive, slower song.
Dysrhythmia No Interference, Earthquake: Instrumental progressive rock act from Philadelphia who has put out two self-released albums. Both of these songs are highly impressive and they definitely deserve to get picked up! The intense nine-minute former track available at www.mp3.com
Elvenking A Dreadful Strain, Dweller Of The Rhymes: I know the name sounds like lame fantasy power metal act #3165, but they are different from that, playing folk-inflected metal that I enjoyed more than I thought I would. Another reader suggestion. First song available at www.metalexpress.no, latter at official site.
Evergrey Mark Of The Triangle, Misled: In Search Of Truth has quickly become one of my top ten (possibly five) albums of the year, superb progressive metal with an intoxicating dark atmosphere. The former song is arguably the heaviest on the album, while the latter provides a gripping yet unclear conclusion to the albums storyline.
Leviathan The Door, If These Walls Could Talk: Despite having included this band before, I still know very little about them. But these songs are strong progressive metal, the latter being especially powerful with a strong chorus and great instrumental sections. Both songs from an album called Scoring The Chapters.
Mayadome Primal Secrets, Trifles: I had read several great reviews of this Swedish progressive metal act and both of their albums are on the Progged Radio playlist, but for some reason I didnt really give them a listen until now. Both of these songs are really good, occasionally reminding me of Dream Theater. Vocals could still use some work, though.
Money For The Toll Absence, Balance: Another band discovered through the ever-helpful progradio.net network. Both of these songs are worth your attention, the former has an addictive chorus and an effective lead riff while the latter has impressive instrumentation.
Novembre Winter 1941, Distances: Reader suggested doom metal act that despite having two albums out on Century Media, is still largely unknown. Both of these songs are very good, the latter having some Opeth-like guitar lines while the latter makes great use of clean vocals. Former song available at www.mp3.com, latter at www.centurymedia.com
Persephones Dream Hyperspace Minefield, Tenth Moon: Second Pennsylvania band with self-released albums heard through www.hardprogradio.com to be featured this week. Both of these songs are excellent female-fronted progressive rock with strong arrangements and compelling song structures. Former song available at official site.
Rain Fell Within Alone, A False Reality: Another female-fronted atmospheric metal act, this time working in the doom genre. Both of these songs are lengthy and have strong instrumentation, and their vocalist hits some very high notes. Album Believe has received many positive reviews. Latter song available at www.mp3.com
Jordan Rudess Revolving Door, Crack The Meter: Long awaited solo album from arguably the most talented of Dream Theaters three keyboardists. (they all kick ass, I dont want to start any debates!) Both of these songs are excellent instrumental prog rock, the latter having several eccentric sections while the latter reminds me of his passages from Scenes and has a great guitar solo, available at www.metalexpress.no
Sanvoisen Colours Around, Behind My Dreams: Again, this band has received several rave reviews, but I have neglected them until recently. While having several weaknesses, both of these songs are good enough to warrant inclusion, and the latter has a particularly memorable bassline.
Saviour Machine The Locusts, Image Of The Beast: Reader suggested Christian (I may not agree with their dogma, but Im not going to ignore them simply because of it) progressive metal act who has released a series of albums based on the apocalypse. These songs are heavier and more well-written than their often droning early albums, and have strong vocals from Eric Clayton. Former song available at www.metalexpress.no
Superior Nothing, Tainted Silence: German progressive metal act whose profile should be increased by their opening slot at Progpower (see below). The former nine-minute song has great use of piano and deeply personal lyrics, and has a great conclusion. The latter song from their debut Behind is a heavier song with a few surprises, available at www.666metal.com
Tad Morose Where The Sun Never Shines, Another Time Around: Reader suggested Swedish power/prog metal act who has released several albums to positive reviews, most recently last years Undead. Both of these songs are worthy of inclusion, the latter having an addictive chorus while the latter has a great lead riff and an effective arrangement, available at www.666metal.com
Devin Townsend Canada, Stagnant: Putting those two titles together doesnt imply any insult to Canadian readers! I have been more impressed with the latest release from the enigmatic one-man project, Terria, than previous albums. (didnt care for Strapping Young Lad.) Both of these songs are skilled progressive rock with a heavy emotional aspect, former available at www.mp3.com, latter at www.metalexpress.no
THE PROGRESSIVE NEWS, vol. 3 (I intend this to be a monthly feature in the future)
The big news this week? Definitely the announcement of the completion and release date of Dream Theaters upcoming double album has people marking down January 22nd, 2002 on their calendars. But the really big news is Progpower 2.0 in Atlanta this weekend. Unfortunately I cannot attend what promises to be an incredible event, but for those who are lucky enough, please send a review to demonspell@maidencentral.com and I will include it with proper credit in next weeks Songs To Watch. What follows is the schedule for the concert, with strengths and weaknesses, a recommended album, and three/four songs from it.
Friday
Balance Of Power
Strengths: skillfully integrates progressive touches into melodic rock.
Weaknesses: occasionally annoying vocals, the usual AOR limitations.
Album to own: Perfect Balance
Songs to watch: Higher Than The Sun, Fire Dance, One Voice
Nightingale
Strengths: brooding progressive rock, arguably Dan Swanos greatest triumph.
Weaknesses: guitar sounds thin at times, drum machine on first album.
Album to own: The Closing Chronicles
Songs to watch: Deep Inside Of Nowhere, Alive Again, Thoughts From A Stolen Soul
Angel Dust
Strengths: powerful songs, excellent use of keyboards, great vocals
Weaknesses: frequent lineup changes
Album to own: Enlighten The Darkness
Songs to watch: Cross Of Hatred, The One You Are, Come Into Resistance, Fly Away
Ark
Strengths: versatile vocalist, incredibly skilled guitarist, great songcraft
Weaknesses: occasional lapses into Deep Purple/Whitesnake hard rock
Album to own: Burn The Sun
Songs to watch: Resurrection, Heal The Waters, Absolute Zero, Missing You
Symphony X
Strengths: the best guitar/keyboard interplay in metal, hands down.
Weaknesses: since The Damnation Game, none.
Album were all waiting for: Live On The Edge Of Forever
Songs to watch exclusive: Church Of The Machine at www.metalexpress.no
Saturday
Superior
Strengths: see this weeks entry
Weaknesses: over-reliance on ballads, albums available only by import
Album to own: Younique
Songs to watch: Nothing, Amok, Stop
Spiral Architect
Strengths: Lars Norbergs unreal bass playing, incredible technicality
Weaknesses: Only one album to date
Album to own: A Sceptics Universe
Songs to watch: Insect, Cloud Constructor, Fountainhead, Moving Spirit
Vanden Plas
Strengths: Excellent guitarist, skillful use of keyboards
Weaknesses: occasionally repetitive, cancelled their appearance (replaced by Steel Prophet).
Album to own: The God Thing
Songs to watch: Fire Blossom/Rainmaker, Garden Of Stones, Crown Of Thorns
Evergrey
Strengths: see this weeks entry
Weaknesses: frequent lineup changes, not enough bass, first two albums import-only
Album to own: In Search Of Truth
Songs to watch: Dark Waters, The Masterplan, Watching The Skies, see above
Kamelot
Strengths: great production and strong arrangements
Weaknesses: occasionally inconsistent albums, lapses into power metal
Album to own: Karma
Songs to watch: The Spell, Temples Of Gold, Across The Highlands, Karma
