DEMONSPELLS SONGS TO WATCH
The recommendation list of strategic influence.
Issue 57 All of this madness makes sense
Written March 9, 2003
www.mp3.com/stations/songstowatch - no new additions since the last issue.
Greetings, devoted readers! Here you will find close to fifty bands from all corners of the progressive and metal universe
A.C.T. Manipulator, Torn By A Phrase: The highly acclaimed Swedish prog act returns with Last Epic, a concept album about a destructive relationship, which may not seem to fit their often playful sound, but it does work on both of these songs, especially the formers addictive chorus. Drums provided by Thomas Lejon of Andromeda.
Alchemy X More Real Than Real, A Kiss Before Dying: New Jersey based progressive metal act with a Queensryche-like sound. Frontman Bob Mitchell is a veteran of 80s thrash, but there is no evidence of his past here, especially on the largely acoustic former track. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Anomaly Seasons, Ensnared: Another entry in the career paths of technical metals most famed rhythm section, Seans Malone and Reinert. This 1998 album is by far the most conventional product they have appeared on, but the playing is still impressive, especially the bass on the latter track.
Arabesque Captured, Heal Me: Dutch technical metal act featuring dual female vocalists, last years The Union was a surprising delight, and the latter ballad and the eight-minute former track, featuring a memorable chorus and a frantic instrumental section, are among its highlights.
Area 54 In My Blood, Cancer Of The Mind: This is not a Gothenburg act, but this British band, a favorite of this sites webmaster, does a good job of approaching that sound on the latter track, with a lot of help from guest vocalist Tomas Lindgren. The former track is more traditional metal, with a heavily Maiden-inspired instrumental section
Atraphine Crying Outward, Dark Sky pt. 1: Another band who I became aware of through an email asking about placement on my station. This NY-area act is a promising female fronted progressive metal act, and the lengthy former track shows they have a good amount of talent. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Autumn Floating Towards Distress, When Lust Evokes The Curse: Female vocalists seem to grow like dandelions (or should I say mandylions) in the Netherlands, and this band, who has opened concerts for After Forever in their native country, and their sound has a similar atmosphere to that band
Chain Conspiracy, The Planet Is Fine: One of the first signings on the newly formed Progrock Records label (an offshoot of the online radio station of the same name), this band makes for a very interesting listen, as here they balance tricky arrangements with heavier sections, and the latter track has a great chorus that offsets the songs ironic sentiment.
Chrome Shift Ripples In Time I, In My Own Dream: Danish band whose debut album Ripples In Time has received a buzz in prog metal circles strong enough to make them one of the first bands confirmed for this years Progpower Europe. The former track is a delicate midtempo offering, while the latter track, available at www.metalexpress.no, showcases the bands instrumental abilities.
Dark Aether Project Embers, The Gentle Art Of Firewalking: Blatimore based prog project whose material consists both of minimalist instrumentals and haunting pieces with female vocals, as evidenced by the nine-minute former track. Samples available at official site.
Dimension F3H Reaping The World Winds, In A Dreamlike State Of Mind: One of the more bizarre side projects Ive heard of lately, featuring members of bands as seemingly opposite as Pagans Mind and the recently disbanded Limbonic Art. Both of these tracks are progressive metal of the aggressive variety, with many surprises. Samples available at www.metalexpress.no and their graphic-intensive website.
Ephel Duath The Greyness Grows, Beneath The Smooth Veil Of Shadows: Avant garde extreme metal that makes my job very difficult, as this band is exceedingly hard to describe in one or two sentences. Suffice it to say that both tracks are full of gut-wrenching vocals and instrumental mayhem. Former track available at www.mp3.com, new album The Painters Palette coming soon.
Event Into The Fray, Wont Come Loose: One of Inside Outs recent releases, but this is definitely not typical of the label, as this comes across as more mainstream rock with slight progressive elements, and to me at least is only momentarily interesting well, the former track is anchored by a strong bassline and the latter has a weirdly persistent chorus, but thats about all to recommend here.
Exhibition The Sign Of Tomorrow, Dark Horizon: This is a band formed from the ashes of Eternity X (fans may recognize the intended reference to an unreleased album there), but this bears little resemblance to their darkly theatrical prog metal, here heading in a more power metal direction, although some prog elements are still present and the band are definitely capable players. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
R. Sean Faust Midnight Express, Lifes Trivial Moments: Self-described keyboard masseur who has gone through several unsigned bands and pays the bills by appearing in the DT cover band Erotomania. His skills are apparent on the former instrumental, and the mostly acoustic latter track shows off the diversity of his projects. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Fleurety I Saw Claws, Vortex: Norwegian avant-garde act whose sole full-length release (these songs are from an ep called Last Minute Lies) featured input from several past and present members of Arcturus. That should give you an idea of what these songs are like, heavy on hallucinogenic atmosphere and bizarre arrangements
Frantic Bleep Fluctuadmission, To Bleep Or Not To Bleep : Norwegian technical metal act memorably described by one UM forum member as Spiral Architect on crack. That phrase only hints at the strangeness of these songs, featuring incredibly dense and unconventional arrangements. Both songs available at their homepage.
Galahad Democracy, Karma For One: British progressive rock act who has releases several albums to strong reviews, most recently last years Year Zero, which includes the nine-minute former track, consisting mostly of dissonant instrumental sections interspersed with some calm interludes. The latter track has a memorable chorus and insightful lyrics.
Gracepoint Attrition, Science Of Discontent: Another promising unsigned act brought to my attention by the dedicated staff at Seismic Radio, this band plays aggressive, riff-heavy power metal, at times reminiscent of Nevermore. They can also show technical prowess, as evidenced by the latter instrumental title track. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Katatonia Ghost Of The Sun, Criminals: The much-anticipated Viva Emptiness has began to circulate and cause debate among fans over the effect the increased heaviness has had on their sound. The incorporation of that element of aggression is jarring on these tracks, but underneath it their guitar tone and sense of emotional resonance is still largely intact
Lacrimosa Vankina, Flamme Im Wind: This veteran German gothic metal act has attained a cult following over their releases, at least five to date, most recent being Der Morgen Danach, from which the classically inflected former track, available at www.nuclearblast.de, hails. The longer latter track features some great acoustic work.
Lanfear Stigmatized, Fortune Lies Within: German progressive metal act whose Zero Poems album was one of the more unconventional albums in that genre in recent memory, and also one of the most unjustly ignored. These tracks from their new release The Art Effect feature some devastating riffs and well-placed keyboards. Samples available at official site.
Madder Mortem Jigsaw, Necropolit: This band has gained many rave reviews for their latest album Deadlands, and has secured an opening slot on Opeths European tour. This sounds somewhat like a darker and more progressive version of Lacuna Coil without the male vocals, and frontwoman Agnete Kirkevaag delivers a frighteningly intense performance on the former track, available at www.digitalmetal.com
Man In Space Technophobe, Bright Purple Spacecraft: Progressive rock act with strong cosmic leanings (as if the band name and song titles didnt make that abundantly clear) who delivers the expected goods, namely intriguing instrumental flights of fancy and unusual vocal arrangements. Plus the album title is wonderful: How To Potty Train A Supernova.
Manifold Object A Grand Trance, Hypnosis Irrelevance: Finnish progressive metal act whose mini-album Mirrorlike is one of the more interesting debuts to cross my path in the last few months, as they combine melodic progressive passages with some moments of technical reckless abandon, reminding me of Pain Of Salvation at times. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Memory Garden Carnage Carnival, A Long Grey Day: Swedish melodic doom act who has gained some strong reviews for their releases, and on the latter track from their Mirage album they show some elements of riff-dominated power metal, similar to the late and lamented Lefay. The band has posted excerpts of new demos on their website, on which both songs mentioned here are available.
Mourning Beloveth All Hope Is Pleading, The Words That Crawled: Irish doom metal act whose sound here evokes the most punishing aspects of early My Dying Bride, which should be enough to recommend this to any doom fanatic that may be reading this. The eleven-minute latter track is total despair, and can be found on www.mp3.com
Nicodemus Something In The Walls, Within The Glow Of Embers: This act has signed a distribution deal with the always intriguing Dark Symphonies, and these songs from their album Supernatural Omnibus are typical of the label: dark, intricately arranged passages crossed with moments of delicate beauty and focused aggression. Former track available at www.mp3.com
Opus Atlantica Judas Call, Endless Slaughter: Side project of Andromedas Johan Reinholdz and several Flower Kings personnel that bears little if any resemblance to either band, here going for melodic power metal that seems comes across for the most part as being awkward and more than a little cheesy. Former track available at www.theendrecords.com, if you must.
OSI Dirt From A Holy Place, When Youre Ready: Perhaps the only Dream Theater side project that manages to break completely from the confines of the prog behemoth, the former track being an expertly performed and highly atmospheric instrumental, while the latters fragile vocal and deceptively lilting pace prove Kevin Moores talent for writing subversive material.
Oxygene 8: Larrys Lullaby, Mocha Butterfly: Hows this for an odd rhythm section: former Primus drummer Tim Alexander and a female Chapman stick player? Only in prog, folks. Seriously, this is quality material, the latter instrumental reminding me of Porcupine Tree and the former being a percussive-led tribute to a lost brother. Both songs available at official site.
Poisonblack Love Infernal, Glow Of The Flames: Side project of Sentenced vocalist Ville Laihala, although fans may be surprised to learn that he does not sing on it, but instead plays guitar. Despite his claims that he considers the band to be a separate entity, this doesnt deviate too far from his main gig former track available at www.centurymedia.com
The Provenance Climbing Ideals, World Of Hurt: In the bands own words, their recent Still At Arms Length is the darkest imaginable album we could supply our listeners with. A bold statement by any measure, but here this avant garde extreme act live up to this claim with some startling passages and eerie arrangements. Samples available at official site.
Root Mirror Of The Soul, The Festival Of Destruction: Doom metal act from the Czech Republic who has received some enthusiastic reviews for their releases, both of these songs contain some devastating riffs and some ambitious arrangements. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Scholomance Liars , Absence/Contorted Porcelain-Faced Bitch: Avant garde extreme that exemplifies The Ends commitment to promoting material that steps outside genre-defined boundaries, here being alternately symphonic and abrasive, both songs are carefully crafted excursions into multifaceted darkness. Former song available at www.mp3.com
Second Sufis Abrasion, Peak Overpressure: This instrumental duos most recent release is called Infectious Substance, which is ironic as it clearly lacks hooks, at least in the traditional sense instead, this is pure atmosphere reminiscent of Robert Fripps soundscape experiments, at times having a highly aquatic feel. Samples available at official site.
Shadowland I Judas, Mad As A Hatter: British prog bands seem to have a tangled web of connections, this one being a side project led by Clive Nolan of Arena (a companion EP for Contagion, featuring four non-album tracks, is planned) and Threshold guitarist Karl Groom, who both contribute some solid work on both tracks, and the former could have held its own on not Critical Mass, Wounded Land maybe?
Shaman Swing On The Waves, Have No Mental Strength: Not the band formed as a result of the split before Angras rebirth. This is a strange folk-metal hybrid, featuring chanted vocals and exotic instrumentation, which works surpisingly well on the lengthy latter track, in which the metal elements are incorporated to powerful effect.
The recommendation list of strategic influence.
Issue 57 All of this madness makes sense
Written March 9, 2003
www.mp3.com/stations/songstowatch - no new additions since the last issue.
Greetings, devoted readers! Here you will find close to fifty bands from all corners of the progressive and metal universe
A.C.T. Manipulator, Torn By A Phrase: The highly acclaimed Swedish prog act returns with Last Epic, a concept album about a destructive relationship, which may not seem to fit their often playful sound, but it does work on both of these songs, especially the formers addictive chorus. Drums provided by Thomas Lejon of Andromeda.
Alchemy X More Real Than Real, A Kiss Before Dying: New Jersey based progressive metal act with a Queensryche-like sound. Frontman Bob Mitchell is a veteran of 80s thrash, but there is no evidence of his past here, especially on the largely acoustic former track. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Anomaly Seasons, Ensnared: Another entry in the career paths of technical metals most famed rhythm section, Seans Malone and Reinert. This 1998 album is by far the most conventional product they have appeared on, but the playing is still impressive, especially the bass on the latter track.
Arabesque Captured, Heal Me: Dutch technical metal act featuring dual female vocalists, last years The Union was a surprising delight, and the latter ballad and the eight-minute former track, featuring a memorable chorus and a frantic instrumental section, are among its highlights.
Area 54 In My Blood, Cancer Of The Mind: This is not a Gothenburg act, but this British band, a favorite of this sites webmaster, does a good job of approaching that sound on the latter track, with a lot of help from guest vocalist Tomas Lindgren. The former track is more traditional metal, with a heavily Maiden-inspired instrumental section
Atraphine Crying Outward, Dark Sky pt. 1: Another band who I became aware of through an email asking about placement on my station. This NY-area act is a promising female fronted progressive metal act, and the lengthy former track shows they have a good amount of talent. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Autumn Floating Towards Distress, When Lust Evokes The Curse: Female vocalists seem to grow like dandelions (or should I say mandylions) in the Netherlands, and this band, who has opened concerts for After Forever in their native country, and their sound has a similar atmosphere to that band
Chain Conspiracy, The Planet Is Fine: One of the first signings on the newly formed Progrock Records label (an offshoot of the online radio station of the same name), this band makes for a very interesting listen, as here they balance tricky arrangements with heavier sections, and the latter track has a great chorus that offsets the songs ironic sentiment.
Chrome Shift Ripples In Time I, In My Own Dream: Danish band whose debut album Ripples In Time has received a buzz in prog metal circles strong enough to make them one of the first bands confirmed for this years Progpower Europe. The former track is a delicate midtempo offering, while the latter track, available at www.metalexpress.no, showcases the bands instrumental abilities.
Dark Aether Project Embers, The Gentle Art Of Firewalking: Blatimore based prog project whose material consists both of minimalist instrumentals and haunting pieces with female vocals, as evidenced by the nine-minute former track. Samples available at official site.
Dimension F3H Reaping The World Winds, In A Dreamlike State Of Mind: One of the more bizarre side projects Ive heard of lately, featuring members of bands as seemingly opposite as Pagans Mind and the recently disbanded Limbonic Art. Both of these tracks are progressive metal of the aggressive variety, with many surprises. Samples available at www.metalexpress.no and their graphic-intensive website.
Ephel Duath The Greyness Grows, Beneath The Smooth Veil Of Shadows: Avant garde extreme metal that makes my job very difficult, as this band is exceedingly hard to describe in one or two sentences. Suffice it to say that both tracks are full of gut-wrenching vocals and instrumental mayhem. Former track available at www.mp3.com, new album The Painters Palette coming soon.
Event Into The Fray, Wont Come Loose: One of Inside Outs recent releases, but this is definitely not typical of the label, as this comes across as more mainstream rock with slight progressive elements, and to me at least is only momentarily interesting well, the former track is anchored by a strong bassline and the latter has a weirdly persistent chorus, but thats about all to recommend here.
Exhibition The Sign Of Tomorrow, Dark Horizon: This is a band formed from the ashes of Eternity X (fans may recognize the intended reference to an unreleased album there), but this bears little resemblance to their darkly theatrical prog metal, here heading in a more power metal direction, although some prog elements are still present and the band are definitely capable players. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
R. Sean Faust Midnight Express, Lifes Trivial Moments: Self-described keyboard masseur who has gone through several unsigned bands and pays the bills by appearing in the DT cover band Erotomania. His skills are apparent on the former instrumental, and the mostly acoustic latter track shows off the diversity of his projects. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Fleurety I Saw Claws, Vortex: Norwegian avant-garde act whose sole full-length release (these songs are from an ep called Last Minute Lies) featured input from several past and present members of Arcturus. That should give you an idea of what these songs are like, heavy on hallucinogenic atmosphere and bizarre arrangements
Frantic Bleep Fluctuadmission, To Bleep Or Not To Bleep : Norwegian technical metal act memorably described by one UM forum member as Spiral Architect on crack. That phrase only hints at the strangeness of these songs, featuring incredibly dense and unconventional arrangements. Both songs available at their homepage.
Galahad Democracy, Karma For One: British progressive rock act who has releases several albums to strong reviews, most recently last years Year Zero, which includes the nine-minute former track, consisting mostly of dissonant instrumental sections interspersed with some calm interludes. The latter track has a memorable chorus and insightful lyrics.
Gracepoint Attrition, Science Of Discontent: Another promising unsigned act brought to my attention by the dedicated staff at Seismic Radio, this band plays aggressive, riff-heavy power metal, at times reminiscent of Nevermore. They can also show technical prowess, as evidenced by the latter instrumental title track. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Katatonia Ghost Of The Sun, Criminals: The much-anticipated Viva Emptiness has began to circulate and cause debate among fans over the effect the increased heaviness has had on their sound. The incorporation of that element of aggression is jarring on these tracks, but underneath it their guitar tone and sense of emotional resonance is still largely intact
Lacrimosa Vankina, Flamme Im Wind: This veteran German gothic metal act has attained a cult following over their releases, at least five to date, most recent being Der Morgen Danach, from which the classically inflected former track, available at www.nuclearblast.de, hails. The longer latter track features some great acoustic work.
Lanfear Stigmatized, Fortune Lies Within: German progressive metal act whose Zero Poems album was one of the more unconventional albums in that genre in recent memory, and also one of the most unjustly ignored. These tracks from their new release The Art Effect feature some devastating riffs and well-placed keyboards. Samples available at official site.
Madder Mortem Jigsaw, Necropolit: This band has gained many rave reviews for their latest album Deadlands, and has secured an opening slot on Opeths European tour. This sounds somewhat like a darker and more progressive version of Lacuna Coil without the male vocals, and frontwoman Agnete Kirkevaag delivers a frighteningly intense performance on the former track, available at www.digitalmetal.com
Man In Space Technophobe, Bright Purple Spacecraft: Progressive rock act with strong cosmic leanings (as if the band name and song titles didnt make that abundantly clear) who delivers the expected goods, namely intriguing instrumental flights of fancy and unusual vocal arrangements. Plus the album title is wonderful: How To Potty Train A Supernova.
Manifold Object A Grand Trance, Hypnosis Irrelevance: Finnish progressive metal act whose mini-album Mirrorlike is one of the more interesting debuts to cross my path in the last few months, as they combine melodic progressive passages with some moments of technical reckless abandon, reminding me of Pain Of Salvation at times. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Memory Garden Carnage Carnival, A Long Grey Day: Swedish melodic doom act who has gained some strong reviews for their releases, and on the latter track from their Mirage album they show some elements of riff-dominated power metal, similar to the late and lamented Lefay. The band has posted excerpts of new demos on their website, on which both songs mentioned here are available.
Mourning Beloveth All Hope Is Pleading, The Words That Crawled: Irish doom metal act whose sound here evokes the most punishing aspects of early My Dying Bride, which should be enough to recommend this to any doom fanatic that may be reading this. The eleven-minute latter track is total despair, and can be found on www.mp3.com
Nicodemus Something In The Walls, Within The Glow Of Embers: This act has signed a distribution deal with the always intriguing Dark Symphonies, and these songs from their album Supernatural Omnibus are typical of the label: dark, intricately arranged passages crossed with moments of delicate beauty and focused aggression. Former track available at www.mp3.com
Opus Atlantica Judas Call, Endless Slaughter: Side project of Andromedas Johan Reinholdz and several Flower Kings personnel that bears little if any resemblance to either band, here going for melodic power metal that seems comes across for the most part as being awkward and more than a little cheesy. Former track available at www.theendrecords.com, if you must.
OSI Dirt From A Holy Place, When Youre Ready: Perhaps the only Dream Theater side project that manages to break completely from the confines of the prog behemoth, the former track being an expertly performed and highly atmospheric instrumental, while the latters fragile vocal and deceptively lilting pace prove Kevin Moores talent for writing subversive material.
Oxygene 8: Larrys Lullaby, Mocha Butterfly: Hows this for an odd rhythm section: former Primus drummer Tim Alexander and a female Chapman stick player? Only in prog, folks. Seriously, this is quality material, the latter instrumental reminding me of Porcupine Tree and the former being a percussive-led tribute to a lost brother. Both songs available at official site.
Poisonblack Love Infernal, Glow Of The Flames: Side project of Sentenced vocalist Ville Laihala, although fans may be surprised to learn that he does not sing on it, but instead plays guitar. Despite his claims that he considers the band to be a separate entity, this doesnt deviate too far from his main gig former track available at www.centurymedia.com
The Provenance Climbing Ideals, World Of Hurt: In the bands own words, their recent Still At Arms Length is the darkest imaginable album we could supply our listeners with. A bold statement by any measure, but here this avant garde extreme act live up to this claim with some startling passages and eerie arrangements. Samples available at official site.
Root Mirror Of The Soul, The Festival Of Destruction: Doom metal act from the Czech Republic who has received some enthusiastic reviews for their releases, both of these songs contain some devastating riffs and some ambitious arrangements. Both songs available at www.mp3.com
Scholomance Liars , Absence/Contorted Porcelain-Faced Bitch: Avant garde extreme that exemplifies The Ends commitment to promoting material that steps outside genre-defined boundaries, here being alternately symphonic and abrasive, both songs are carefully crafted excursions into multifaceted darkness. Former song available at www.mp3.com
Second Sufis Abrasion, Peak Overpressure: This instrumental duos most recent release is called Infectious Substance, which is ironic as it clearly lacks hooks, at least in the traditional sense instead, this is pure atmosphere reminiscent of Robert Fripps soundscape experiments, at times having a highly aquatic feel. Samples available at official site.
Shadowland I Judas, Mad As A Hatter: British prog bands seem to have a tangled web of connections, this one being a side project led by Clive Nolan of Arena (a companion EP for Contagion, featuring four non-album tracks, is planned) and Threshold guitarist Karl Groom, who both contribute some solid work on both tracks, and the former could have held its own on not Critical Mass, Wounded Land maybe?
Shaman Swing On The Waves, Have No Mental Strength: Not the band formed as a result of the split before Angras rebirth. This is a strange folk-metal hybrid, featuring chanted vocals and exotic instrumentation, which works surpisingly well on the lengthy latter track, in which the metal elements are incorporated to powerful effect.
