This stuff might be proggy in nature, but it is for the most part heavy too. A nice bunch of releases from some cool bands.
CD reviews
Del Rey: Immemorial
This bunch are supposedly “post-rockers”, whatever that is supposed to mean. To me they come across as some damn good heavy melodic progressive metallers. Sure there is other stuff tossed in there, for good measure, but experimental prog works as a classification rather nicely. Arguing over what to call this music is almost irrelevant considering how good it is.
Its epic and expansive in style with anything from Middle Eastern to South Asian musical textures making an appearance. While a lot of this sort of kitchen sink music is hard to handle and work to listen to, Del Rey do a good job at making it approachable. There is enough here that the au fait with this sort of thing will enjoy it, but others new to the band will find enough to please them.
The band have suffered some odd times with their van stolen twice and retrieved. They also managed to get all their gear stolen from their rehearsal space. Yet the band continued to complete their unusual vision of music. Anyway if you have an open mind to music have a listen, you might just enjoy what you hear.
James LeBrie: Static Impulse
Yes, its that James LeBrie of Dream Theater and a whole bunch of other projects in prog frame of music. The best known of which is Mullmuzzer, a band with a daft name, but some great output. This is LeBrie’s exploration of modern metal and for the most part it leaves me a bit cold. While LeBrie has the voice to counter the “rough” vocals, its just not what prog fans probably want to hear. The screamo/rough vocals are handled by drummer Peter Wildeor. Be warned this is not a progressive or progressive metal album, it’s a modern metal album with a few progressive cues tossed in for good measure. When first listening to this album the screaming does take you by surprise, and not always a pleasant one at that.
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