DEMONSPELLS SONGS TO WATCH
FUTURE OF METAL EDITION
An Alliance Presentation
Written February 7, 2002
Greetings, devoted readers! Ironically enough, this is the first regular issue to be delivered ahead of my unofficial deadline since December, after my winter vacation has been over for two weeks. Because merely being on time isnt enough, this issue will contain the highest number of artists yet (not including specials), and lots of early 2002 releases. Congratulations are in order to Dream Theater, whose magnum opus debuted at the top of the Internet sales charts in the US, and made the top fifty in the general charts. I know, normally I wouldnt celebrate commercial success, but this is a progressive metal album performing well in the worlds trendiest market. And now, the songs
Blind Guardian Precious Jerusalem: A Night At The Opera is set to arrive next month, amidst controversy over its borrowed title and cartoonish cover art. This track, available at www.metalexpress.no, should not disappoint as it contains the epic arrangements for which BG are renowned, as well as Andre Olbrichs accomplished guitar work, and of course Hansis brilliantly dramatic vocals.
Angel Dust The Human Bondage, Freedom Awaits: Despite a few reviews suggesting a step back from Enlighten The Darkness, these songs are excellent, both full of the force and innovation that marks this bands best work. New guitarist Richie Wilkinson doesnt hurt things, and the latter track contains an addictive chorus and keyboard hook. Former title track available at www.centurymedia.com
Pain Of Salvation Undertow, This Heart Of Mine (I Pledge): Remedy Lane incorporates all of the diverse elements that made their previous three albums so remarkable, while having an immersive sound all its own. Both of these tracks illustrate why this band is unmatched among progressive metal for emotional power, especially the latter, a beautiful composition featuring a soul-rending solo.
Vanden Plas Cold Wind, Scarlet Flowerfields: Alternately labeled as melodic rock and progressive metal, this German acts latest album Beyond Daylight includes elements of both, resulting in an enjoyable listen. The former track, available at www.metalexpress.no, features an extremely catchy chorus, while the latter sounds a lot better than its dumb title indicates, especially on its instrumental outro.
Tad Morose Ethereal Soul, The Devils Finger: The Swedish power/prog metallers return this month with Matters Of The Dark, their fifth album and first for Centuru Media. Despite having an extremely cheesy title, the latter song rises above power metal clichés with a forceful lead riff, while the latter contains a huge chorus and sharp instrumental work.
Devin Townsend Material, Planet Rain: Both from Physicist, which despite its creators description as Strapping Young Lad lite is closer to his solo work, in particular Ocean Machine. The former track reveals an almost pop sensibility underneath all the noise, while the latter track is an eleven-minute composition bridging his progressive tendencies to his heavy delivery.
My Dying Bride Your River, The Cry Of Mankind: A pair of older tracks from the doom specialists chosen for two reasons, the first being that they feature Aarons excellent and sometime neglected clean vocals (except towards the end of the former) and their feeling of despair, which many bands have tried unsuccessfully to capture. Latter track contains one of the eeriest passages ever recorded
Vanishing Point Surreal, Father (7 Years): Melodic rock act with progressive leanings who have become quite well-known in their homeland of Australia. Despite some boring material, Tangled In Dream is a capable album, especially on the former song, with its keyboard-accompanied lead riff, and the longer latter track, which has an effective arrangement and the vocals, weak at times, achieve emotion here.
Unicorn At The End Of The Bridge, The Boy And The Impossible: Progressive rock project from Dan Swano, predating Nightingale, that has recently been made available again after being elusive for a long time. The former track is an extremely emotional composition about love lost, while the latter contains a complex arrangement that shows yet another side of Swanos talents.
Roland Grapow The Four Seasons Of Life, Reaching Higher: In anticipation of Masterplan, the project featuring Jorn Lande and Helloweens former rhythm section, here are two tracks from the underrated guitarists solo albums. The latter title track is a multipart composition which should indicate that we should expect more than just a typical power metal album, while the latter has some very fast playing during its intro.
Everon Men Of Rust, Missing The Last Train: Reader suggested progressive metal act that I should know more about, because Ive seen their name mentioned fairly often. Both of these songs contain very thoughtful arrangements, the former being more metallic while the latter uses keyboards to create an engrossing atmosphere.
Without Face I And I, The Picture: Another promising act on the Dark Symphonies label, this one goes in a more melodic death direction. Latter track sounds almost like a cross between Anathema and In Flames, with its clean vocals leading into Gothenburg-ish guitar lines. The latter song, not to be confused with Queensryche, is similarly impressive.
Strange Land Distorted Grandeur, Not For This World: Unsigned act discovered through a Progged Radio promotion. Theyre a three piece, and their vocalist also plays bass and keyboards who could that remind you of? J Both of these songs do at points show dynamics and musicianship reminiscent of that band who has done the most with the least members latter song available at www.mp3.com
Time Machine Army Of The Dead, Wheres My Heaven?: Italian act who leans more towards melodic progressive metal than Rhapsodys neoclassical nonsense. Both of these songs from their album Evil (yes, thats the whole title) have impressive musicianship, the latter having a memorable chorus while the former has a strong vocal arrangement.
Tom Nouga Skam, Hypokondriken: Brother of the frequently mentioned and incredibly prolific Dan Swano, who also plays most of the instruments on his music. The songs here, available at www.mp3.com, are of a light progressive rock (perhaps closer to pop than I should admit) sung in Swedish, with some Rush touches on the former. Mp3.com site also contains a reworked Nightingale track.
Psychotic Waltz Mosquito, Out Of Mind: Early technical metal act whose reputation seems to grow with time, having left behind three albums. Both of these songs contain impressive arrangements, particularly the guitar work on the former. And be sure to notice the similarity to Spiral Architect vocalist Oyvind Haegeland on the latter
Novembers Doom Suffer The Red Dream, With Rue And Fire: This act sounds like a mixture of early and current Anathema, with harsh vocals appearing over slower paced material. This works to great effect on the latter track, available at www.mp3.com Latter song has an appropriately dark atmosphere
Behind The Curtain Snap, The Fields Of Despair: Reader suggested progressive rock act on the Sensory label. Occasionally suffering from subpar production, these songs still manage to leave a lasting impression, the latter having an unusual but strong arrangement and the latter a menacing lead riff. The quivering vocals may turn some off, however
Glass Hammer Sweet Goldberry, Twilight On Longview: Reader suggested progressive rock act who has recorded several Tolkien based concept albums. While the band does follow its 70s prog influences very closely at times, both of these songs are worth a mention, especially the latter, a delicate and powerful instrumental.
Vanishment Revealer Of Secrets, Fallen Rain: Progressive metal act from Las Vegas (of all places) discovered through a Progged Radio promotion. Both of these songs show that these guys shouldnt remain unsigned, especially the former with its addictive chorus. The latter contains a great instrumental section.
Summoning Farewell, Nightshade Forests: This band has made a career out of Tolkien, its symphonic black metal approximating the sound of orcs on the march, although they didnt have drum machines J Latter song from the EP of the same name contains a hypnotic lead signature, and the former contains a similarly bombastic feel
The Red Masque Tidal, A Moon Falls: Unsigned progressive rock act from the Philadelphia area. Both of these songs are lengthy and complex compositions with some bizarre arrangements and arresting vocals. Dark edged prog worthy of your attention, as the band explicitly states on its page at www.mp3.com, this is noncommercial music.
Forest Stream Melkor, Last Season Purity: Reader suggested Russian extreme metal act recently signed to the newly formed Elitist label. Both of these songs are epic melodic death a la Opeth, with some impressive instrumental passages (especially in the latter) and folk influences. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Artension Your Victory, Sacred Pathways: The progressive metal act with the skilled neoclassical keyboardist returns with a new album this month. Both of these songs are full of the great musicianship found on earlier releases, along with John Wests soulful vocals. Latter title track contains a memorable chorus.
Niacin Blue Wind, Elbow Grease: Instrumental three piece featuring Bobby Sheehan (I dont know how this guy could have wasted his talents in hair metal bands for so long and still be considered a genius ) and some insane Hammond organ playing, which dominates both of these tracks from Time Crunch. A very enjoyable listen.
Paranoise Constant Fear, Instability Containment Rollback: Very ambitious project which attempts to incorporate native cultural music and political awareness with progressive rock. Most of the time the combination of propaganda and tribal chants turns me off, but not on these songs, which come close to succeeding in their musical aspirations and contain normal vocals excellent chorus on the latter.
Thus ends this chapter. Next week Im going to do something a little different, as Ill attempt to collect all of the music-related humor Ive left on various message boards into a special section. Expect some unique observations concerning progressive music, a pair of amusing articles on Dream Theater and arguments between genres, and more
FUTURE OF METAL EDITION
An Alliance Presentation
Written February 7, 2002
Greetings, devoted readers! Ironically enough, this is the first regular issue to be delivered ahead of my unofficial deadline since December, after my winter vacation has been over for two weeks. Because merely being on time isnt enough, this issue will contain the highest number of artists yet (not including specials), and lots of early 2002 releases. Congratulations are in order to Dream Theater, whose magnum opus debuted at the top of the Internet sales charts in the US, and made the top fifty in the general charts. I know, normally I wouldnt celebrate commercial success, but this is a progressive metal album performing well in the worlds trendiest market. And now, the songs
Blind Guardian Precious Jerusalem: A Night At The Opera is set to arrive next month, amidst controversy over its borrowed title and cartoonish cover art. This track, available at www.metalexpress.no, should not disappoint as it contains the epic arrangements for which BG are renowned, as well as Andre Olbrichs accomplished guitar work, and of course Hansis brilliantly dramatic vocals.
Angel Dust The Human Bondage, Freedom Awaits: Despite a few reviews suggesting a step back from Enlighten The Darkness, these songs are excellent, both full of the force and innovation that marks this bands best work. New guitarist Richie Wilkinson doesnt hurt things, and the latter track contains an addictive chorus and keyboard hook. Former title track available at www.centurymedia.com
Pain Of Salvation Undertow, This Heart Of Mine (I Pledge): Remedy Lane incorporates all of the diverse elements that made their previous three albums so remarkable, while having an immersive sound all its own. Both of these tracks illustrate why this band is unmatched among progressive metal for emotional power, especially the latter, a beautiful composition featuring a soul-rending solo.
Vanden Plas Cold Wind, Scarlet Flowerfields: Alternately labeled as melodic rock and progressive metal, this German acts latest album Beyond Daylight includes elements of both, resulting in an enjoyable listen. The former track, available at www.metalexpress.no, features an extremely catchy chorus, while the latter sounds a lot better than its dumb title indicates, especially on its instrumental outro.
Tad Morose Ethereal Soul, The Devils Finger: The Swedish power/prog metallers return this month with Matters Of The Dark, their fifth album and first for Centuru Media. Despite having an extremely cheesy title, the latter song rises above power metal clichés with a forceful lead riff, while the latter contains a huge chorus and sharp instrumental work.
Devin Townsend Material, Planet Rain: Both from Physicist, which despite its creators description as Strapping Young Lad lite is closer to his solo work, in particular Ocean Machine. The former track reveals an almost pop sensibility underneath all the noise, while the latter track is an eleven-minute composition bridging his progressive tendencies to his heavy delivery.
My Dying Bride Your River, The Cry Of Mankind: A pair of older tracks from the doom specialists chosen for two reasons, the first being that they feature Aarons excellent and sometime neglected clean vocals (except towards the end of the former) and their feeling of despair, which many bands have tried unsuccessfully to capture. Latter track contains one of the eeriest passages ever recorded
Vanishing Point Surreal, Father (7 Years): Melodic rock act with progressive leanings who have become quite well-known in their homeland of Australia. Despite some boring material, Tangled In Dream is a capable album, especially on the former song, with its keyboard-accompanied lead riff, and the longer latter track, which has an effective arrangement and the vocals, weak at times, achieve emotion here.
Unicorn At The End Of The Bridge, The Boy And The Impossible: Progressive rock project from Dan Swano, predating Nightingale, that has recently been made available again after being elusive for a long time. The former track is an extremely emotional composition about love lost, while the latter contains a complex arrangement that shows yet another side of Swanos talents.
Roland Grapow The Four Seasons Of Life, Reaching Higher: In anticipation of Masterplan, the project featuring Jorn Lande and Helloweens former rhythm section, here are two tracks from the underrated guitarists solo albums. The latter title track is a multipart composition which should indicate that we should expect more than just a typical power metal album, while the latter has some very fast playing during its intro.
Everon Men Of Rust, Missing The Last Train: Reader suggested progressive metal act that I should know more about, because Ive seen their name mentioned fairly often. Both of these songs contain very thoughtful arrangements, the former being more metallic while the latter uses keyboards to create an engrossing atmosphere.
Without Face I And I, The Picture: Another promising act on the Dark Symphonies label, this one goes in a more melodic death direction. Latter track sounds almost like a cross between Anathema and In Flames, with its clean vocals leading into Gothenburg-ish guitar lines. The latter song, not to be confused with Queensryche, is similarly impressive.
Strange Land Distorted Grandeur, Not For This World: Unsigned act discovered through a Progged Radio promotion. Theyre a three piece, and their vocalist also plays bass and keyboards who could that remind you of? J Both of these songs do at points show dynamics and musicianship reminiscent of that band who has done the most with the least members latter song available at www.mp3.com
Time Machine Army Of The Dead, Wheres My Heaven?: Italian act who leans more towards melodic progressive metal than Rhapsodys neoclassical nonsense. Both of these songs from their album Evil (yes, thats the whole title) have impressive musicianship, the latter having a memorable chorus while the former has a strong vocal arrangement.
Tom Nouga Skam, Hypokondriken: Brother of the frequently mentioned and incredibly prolific Dan Swano, who also plays most of the instruments on his music. The songs here, available at www.mp3.com, are of a light progressive rock (perhaps closer to pop than I should admit) sung in Swedish, with some Rush touches on the former. Mp3.com site also contains a reworked Nightingale track.
Psychotic Waltz Mosquito, Out Of Mind: Early technical metal act whose reputation seems to grow with time, having left behind three albums. Both of these songs contain impressive arrangements, particularly the guitar work on the former. And be sure to notice the similarity to Spiral Architect vocalist Oyvind Haegeland on the latter
Novembers Doom Suffer The Red Dream, With Rue And Fire: This act sounds like a mixture of early and current Anathema, with harsh vocals appearing over slower paced material. This works to great effect on the latter track, available at www.mp3.com Latter song has an appropriately dark atmosphere
Behind The Curtain Snap, The Fields Of Despair: Reader suggested progressive rock act on the Sensory label. Occasionally suffering from subpar production, these songs still manage to leave a lasting impression, the latter having an unusual but strong arrangement and the latter a menacing lead riff. The quivering vocals may turn some off, however
Glass Hammer Sweet Goldberry, Twilight On Longview: Reader suggested progressive rock act who has recorded several Tolkien based concept albums. While the band does follow its 70s prog influences very closely at times, both of these songs are worth a mention, especially the latter, a delicate and powerful instrumental.
Vanishment Revealer Of Secrets, Fallen Rain: Progressive metal act from Las Vegas (of all places) discovered through a Progged Radio promotion. Both of these songs show that these guys shouldnt remain unsigned, especially the former with its addictive chorus. The latter contains a great instrumental section.
Summoning Farewell, Nightshade Forests: This band has made a career out of Tolkien, its symphonic black metal approximating the sound of orcs on the march, although they didnt have drum machines J Latter song from the EP of the same name contains a hypnotic lead signature, and the former contains a similarly bombastic feel
The Red Masque Tidal, A Moon Falls: Unsigned progressive rock act from the Philadelphia area. Both of these songs are lengthy and complex compositions with some bizarre arrangements and arresting vocals. Dark edged prog worthy of your attention, as the band explicitly states on its page at www.mp3.com, this is noncommercial music.
Forest Stream Melkor, Last Season Purity: Reader suggested Russian extreme metal act recently signed to the newly formed Elitist label. Both of these songs are epic melodic death a la Opeth, with some impressive instrumental passages (especially in the latter) and folk influences. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Artension Your Victory, Sacred Pathways: The progressive metal act with the skilled neoclassical keyboardist returns with a new album this month. Both of these songs are full of the great musicianship found on earlier releases, along with John Wests soulful vocals. Latter title track contains a memorable chorus.
Niacin Blue Wind, Elbow Grease: Instrumental three piece featuring Bobby Sheehan (I dont know how this guy could have wasted his talents in hair metal bands for so long and still be considered a genius ) and some insane Hammond organ playing, which dominates both of these tracks from Time Crunch. A very enjoyable listen.
Paranoise Constant Fear, Instability Containment Rollback: Very ambitious project which attempts to incorporate native cultural music and political awareness with progressive rock. Most of the time the combination of propaganda and tribal chants turns me off, but not on these songs, which come close to succeeding in their musical aspirations and contain normal vocals excellent chorus on the latter.
Thus ends this chapter. Next week Im going to do something a little different, as Ill attempt to collect all of the music-related humor Ive left on various message boards into a special section. Expect some unique observations concerning progressive music, a pair of amusing articles on Dream Theater and arguments between genres, and more
