I apologize to you readers that there was no column last week. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to write one while on holiday in Malta. However the downtime did give me ample time to listen to loads of CDs. I even gave the new Metallica a few more spins and I have not changed my views.
CD Reviews
The Reflection: When Shadows Fall
I have been rather stuck with this lot being unable to find anything on the web about them. Nonetheless, the music says quite a bit about the band and was well worth a listen. One thing that seems to obsess this lot is the sea. With two songs and an instrumental about it. The best of these tracks is “Ghost Ship” which has all the menace you’d expect while retaining the virtuosity needed in power metal.
You could call this sea metal and you not be far off. The band attempt to evoke the epic nature of the sea in all they do. The desolate nature of being at sea floods out of your speakers. Now, no one would clam this CD is anything ground-breaking, save for maybe creating a new genre, but it is a rather good listen. The title track is a stomper of a track that makes you sit up and take notice.
I would have to say this band peddle a brand of power metal/prog that is a cut about the bog standard. This is worth seeking out if you are a fan of the genre. There is quite a bit going on there if you are willing to stick around and pay attention.
Suspyre: When Time Fades
Now this was a pleasant surprise of a disc. I had never heard of this lot but they do a wonderful line in jazz-heavy power prog. There is nothing samey about any of these tracks, especially the 10 minute standout track “Siren” and yes it works. This song, cut down for radio, could be a great hit for this lot. The piano backing of the track is quite beautiful and impressive.
This is not what you would expect from a New Jersey band; not a tinge of Bruce Springsteen here. They have more in common with the more accessible Dream Theater with a nice dose of Testament. They are not clones of either band, infusing a sense of their own originality throughout. Now, as you would expect from this sort of band, the tracks aren’t short for the most part. There are all the things you would expect from prog metal but done rather well.
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