Bob -
I have their second album - Revolutions - and gave it the following review in Fireworks Magazine at the time of its release...
"Lyrically and conceptually, this relatively new band has managed to crash into the territory previously the sole preserve of Sabaton, although in musical style and approach there is much less comparison with the album now up for discussion as this is the latest contender in the burgeoning progressive metal genre.
Revolutions is the second release from a band that has been honing its skills since the turn of the millennium and follows Urban Legends (2004) which fell under my radar. The quartet comprises Oliver Kilthau (guitar, vocals), Michael Heck (keyboards), Marc Schroth (bass) and Chuck West (drums/percussion) and their new album is conceptually dedicated to the memory of revolutions and the struggle for freedom in the history of mankind, the songs here focusing upon events in the two World Wars, the loss of the native American Indian homelands, a slave uprising against the Roman Empire, the United States Declaration of Independence and the French Revolution heavy stuff indeed!
For the most part the music is fairly technical stuff and the album opens with the sounds of air raid sirens and a spoken word introduction before leading into Battle Entrance. This, and the following track Sacred Ground are both quite complex musically and it becomes obvious that here is an album that has probably been constructed around the lyrical content rather than vice versa as seems to be the case with most releases. They are compelling and work at a number of levels, and as with the rest of the album, repeated listens not only provides greater familiarity with but also increased accessibility to the often quite complex material. Freedom has a more melodic undercurrent, while Resistance is another heavy trip both lyrically and musically. Sacrifice has a lighter, more melodic feel to it and includes a wonderful guitar solo and most memorable chorus so far. For me it is one of great triumphs of Revolutions as indeed is The French Revolution Trilogy that follows. It is pleasing to report that here is music of epic proportions that lives up to the billing. Repeated listens have continued to reveal new dimensions and facets within the graphic story that begins with the French King believing he is chosen by God (the Sun King), continues by focusing upon the revolution itself and finally looks at the Reign Of Terror wrought by Robespierre which killed thousands of innocents. The concluding track, the mournful and melodic ballad Last Stand is a brilliant counterpoint to all that has gone before.
I think you will divine that I am quite taken by this album, and I believe that Liquid Horizon is a band of which you will hear much more in the future. They cite Savatage, Dokken, Vanden Plas and Dream Theater as their main influences, but to these ears they also bring an intelligent, fresh and non-clichéd slant to the genre. Please investigate
"
So, not a "demo" album.
Now, given that you did not like my endorsement of the latest UH album (you seem to be out of step on that, if you don't mind me saying!!) you may not like LH... But I am off to investigate further!!
Paul
