Dream Theater - Distance Over Time (2019) Album Review

This is in fact my major metal album in 2019. I rarely listened to full album lately, so this new Dream Theater's album, Distance Over Time, sounds quite fresh. As we all know, this progressive metal band is reaching their "late year" with fourteen albums so far, last one counted. Dream Theater fully aware of their creativity struggle. As I read their reviews elsewhere, the band works hard to create new sounds, including putting the band together in solitude studio album to produce new ideas. The result is Distance Over Time sounds faithful to Dream Theater, there are new ideas in the album but for regular listeners, there might be too little.

Statistically speaking first, Distance Over Time is : the first album that run "just" an hour, the last one are Images and Words (1992) and When Dream and Day United (1989). No 10 minutes songs, kind of a relieve. This is a "short" album that hopefully able to continued Dream Theater legacy. This is also the first album to have Mike Mangini material, he write lyric for Room 137.

The album started with Untethered Angel, it is a mixed of As I Am with several other DT songs, so a safe play from the band to kick off the album. Barstool Warrior is the point in the album where they starting to sound fresh, imo. The songs are more memorable instead of some "generic" progressive metal riff in the first three songs. The two following songs are contributed by their rhythm department, Room 137 must be influence by Mike Mangini, while S2N is started with blasting bass intro, both are added different color to the album. Out of Reach is their slow song with sweet guitar works by Petrucci. Although the album finished with another generic song as in Pale Blue Dot, but the bonus track Viper King is another interest of the album. Viper King sounds in blues-a-like style, written by La Brie, which is a cool track in deed. Jordan Rudess just having fun with his old school organ solos in this song.

Distance Over Time is another continuation of Dream Theater. Nothing is lost in this album, yet if you expected a major outstanding "benchmark song" to re-introduce Dream Theater, there are not much also. One must respected that even though this is their fourteenth album, they still play their game in very intense composition technically. The technical skill displayed in Distance Over Time is still f*** mind blowing. Enjoy this while the band still active, in the distance over, we might not able to hear this any more.

Dream Theater - Distance Over Time (2019) 
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1. Untethered Angel (6:14)
2. Paralyzed (4:17)
3. Fall Into The Light (7:04)
4. Barstool Warrior (6:43)
5. Room 137 (4:23)
6. S2N (6:21)
7. At Wit's End (9:20)
8. Out Of Reach (4:04)
9. Pale Blue Dot (8:25)
10. Viper King (4:00) (Bonus Track)

Total Time: 60:51

- James LaBrie / Vocals
- John Petrucci / Guitars
- John Myung / Bass
- Jordan Rudess / Keyboards
- Mike Mangini / Drums

Steve Morse – The Sessions (2016)

Being soloist and band member, Steve Morse released so many albums. His works range from progressive rock Dixie Dregs, guitar shredder in his solo albums, up to as part of Deep Purple. With such range of musics, one still can easily distinguished Steve Morse licks, the bluesy chromatic passage that attached to his style. Surprisingly, in this new album, The Sessions, Steve Morse works with many other singers and sing some cover tunes. This album is not Steve Morse's typical instrumental guitar album. Well, a bit disappointing for guitar fans, but the album provide excellent standard hard rock album, that very bluesy, very American in vibes.

The only three tracks of instrumental songs are first, Freedom, This one quite different from the rest of album. Freedom is calm, meditative nuance ballad, kind of new age-ish tune but with Steve Morse surprisingly playing guitar there. Then we have two very jazz tunes, At the Edge of the Middle, featuring Jim Beard (piano), Randy Brecker (trumpet) and Percy Jones (bass). A typical smooth jazz quintet with Steve Morse letting himself being part of world class jazz ensemble. Then the only instrumental track that really sounds like Steve Morse is in Travis Walk. This one featuring Kevin Curry, who probably the pianist that doing solo in there.

Of all the other songs, Steve Morse doing collaboration with world class singer. Notably is Joe Lynn Turner who ex-Deep Purple guy. Also Billy Sherwood of YES in Another Brick in the Wall Pt 1. Which is a Pink Floyd original song. Talking about progressive personality, we got Jordan Rudess inserted in Touch Me. And so are the other popular hard rock / prog rock songs got redo in this album.

The Sessions is session of Steve Morse doing collaboration with other hard rock / prog rock artist. Mostly are music giant from the '60-'70s. This album superbly done, so do not missed this out.

Metal Harem class : *********** nine stars out of ten

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Steve Morse – The Sessions (2016)

01. Freedom - instrumental
02. Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 1 (feat. Billy Sherwood)
03. Heartbreaker
04. Here Comes the Sun (feat. Richard Page)
05. Touch Me (feat. Robert Gordon, Jordan Rudess,  Nik Turner)
06. The Logical Song (feat. Mickey Thomas, Tony Kaye)
07. Whipping Post (feat. Jimmy Hall)
08. At the Edge of the Middle (feat. Jim Beard, Randy Brecker, Percy Jones) - instrumental
09. Travis Walk (feat. Kevin Curry) - instrumental
10. Jungle Love (feat. Joe Lynn Turner)
11. New Year's Day

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Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Letters From the Labyrinth (2015)

Letter From the Labyrinth is Trans-Siberian Orchestra sixth, and as today, their newest studio album. The band, or ensemble to be precised, was most famous for their series of Christmas theme albums. Up to before this album, I think everyone will said that TSO is the musical project specialized on those Christmas and holiday songs. So with the arrival of Letter From the Labyrinth showed that they have new vision. This is their first non-Christmas theme materials. Many sources cited that the theme is "a collection of songs on various subjects including bullying, banking, and the Berlin Wall." This is their first secular attempt to gained foot in wider progressive metal world. Considering how spectacular most of their works (and those are Christmas songs), prog fans should be enthusiast to have this album.

As usual, TSO adopted a lot of popular Classical music pieces into their repertoire in this album. The first opening song "Time and Distance" is an adaptation of Mozart's Requiem, as expected in progressive metal arrangement. Then from here, we go from Beethoven's piano piece in "Prometheus" to Mussorgsky's Night on a Bald Mountain in "Mountain Labyrinth". The first sign of modern progressive rock can be heard in the 7th song, "The Night Conceives", which is sung by Kayla Reeves. "Forget About the Blame" is Johnny Greene remake, in a semi-ballad song. The biggest name in singer line up is Russel Allen, who sing in "Not Dead Yet". Then there are remake of Savatage song, "Stay", then goes all the way to piano ballad in "Not the Same" , once again sing by singer Kayla Reeves. All these vocal songs in this section resembling the old '80s progressive metal/rock as familiar to Savatage and maybe all the way to Queensryche fans.  The section then closed with another instrumental arrangement of Classical masterpiece, this time taken from Johann Sebastian Bach's composition for keyboard. Two bonuses are put in the end, one is another version of Johnny Greene remake sung by Lzzy Hale, "Forget About the Blame".

Letters From the Labyrinth is not really as spectacular as other Trans-Siberian Orchestra projects, but there are still tons of creative ideas in the album. This included a welcome progressive metal arrangements of popular Classical music piece as mentioned above. Apart from many portion where a highly technical skill in music required to performed it, this album in fact is quite an easy listening album for progressive category. Also, most of the songs are written in the style to able to fit into holiday setting also. Letters From the Labyrinth will able to continued TSO legacy in this very specific genre in progressive world. TSO has an active live show , so expected these new material to be performed live during this 2015 Christmas time.

Metal Harem class: ********* eight stars out of ten

Buy it Here - Amazon

Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Letters From the Labyrinth (2015)

01. “Time and Distance”
02. “Madness of Men” - instrumental
03. “Prometheus” - solo vocals: Jeff Scot Soto
04. “Mountain Labyrinth” - instrumental
05. “King Rurik” - instrumental
06. “Prince Igor” - instrumental
07. “The Night Conceives” - Kayla Reeves
08. “Forget About the Blame” - Robin Borneman
09. “Not Dead Yet” - Russel Allen
10. “Past Tomorrow” - Jennifer Cella
11. “Stay”- Adrienne Warren
12. “Not the Same” - Kayla Reeves
13. “Who I Am”
14. “Lullaby Night” - instrumental
15. “Forget About the Blame” (bonus track featuring Lzzy Hale)
16. "A Mad Russian's Christmas (Live)" (Amazon Bonus Track)


    Paul O'Neill - Producer
    Dave Wittman - Co-Producer, Recording & Mix Engineer
    BJ Ramone - Assistant Engineer
    Jon Tucker - Additional Assistant Engineer
    A&R - Jason Flom, Ryan Silva

    Paul O'Neill - Guitars
    Jon Oliva - Keyboards, Guitars, Bass
    Al Pitrelli - Lead/Rhythm Guitars
    Luci Butler - Keyboards
    Chris Caffery - Guitars
    Roddy Chong - Violin
    Angus Clark - Guitars
    Joel Hoekstra - Guitars
    Mee Eun Kim - Keyboards
    Vitalij Kuprij - Keyboards
    Jane Mangini - Keyboards
    Asha Mevlana - Violin
    Johnny Lee Middleton - Bass
    John O. Reilly - Drums
    Jeff Plate - Drums
    Derek Wieland - Keyboards
    David Zablidowsky - Bass
    Dave Wittman - Additional Guitar, Bass, Drums

Background vocals:
"Forget About the Blame" - Lucille Jacobs, Minnie W. Leonard, Keith Jacobs

"Who I Am" - Danielle Sample, Erika Jerry, Chloe Lowery, Dari Mahnic, Bart Shatto, Andrew Ross, John Brink, Natalya Piette, Jodi Katz, James Lewis, Georgia Napolitano, Tim Hockenberry

"Time and Distance (The Dash)" - Danielle Sample, Chloe Lowery, Ava Davis, Kayla Reeves, Adrienne Warren, Andrew Ross, Chris Pinnella, Rob Evan, Parker Sipes, Phillip Brandon, Dustin Brayley, April Berry, Autumn Guzzardi

Strings :    Roddy Chong,     Asha Mevlana.    Lowell Adams.    Nancy Chang
    Lei Liu

Horns:   Jon Tucker (leader),   Kenneth Brantley,   Jay Coble,   Ashby Wilkins

Flying Colors - Second Nature (2014)

In Second Nature, Flying Colors entering their 'casual dating' phase. Just as Mike Portnoy metaphored "... the first album (Flying Colors) was very much a blind date,.. now we know each other and have much more chemistry..." . Now be aware of what they called 'chemistry'. Second Nature is completely different game. The casual dating produced more hardcore prog materials by the quintet. They are still remained the same, Mike Portnoy, Morse and Morse, together with LaRue and Casey McPherson. This is the album for those who loves each of them, from DT fans to Dixie Dregs to Ayreon-like in Neal Morse's style.

"Open Up Your Eyes" is worth a note to see how progressive material may came out from their collaborations since it is in staggering 12 minutes long. This one very much Neal Morse in style. A thick keyboard leads, follows by Portnoy power drumming. Of course Steve did not stay there for nothing, he is not letting Neal get all the fun. Every notes still sounds very Steve Morse, but it is good to see him 'forced' to played in different water. Dave LaRue himself, found nothing 'new' on this as he already done it millions times, perfect groove perfect fill in every moments. The ending of this song sounds like a homage to the Dream Theater traces, perhaps Portnoy's idea.

"Mask Machine" on other is a lighter song. Casey is now backed with the McCrary Sisters to produced this ambitious song where they try to reproduced old '80s cartoon like sounds. The same distortions sounds repeated on "Bombs Away", and again away from their two previous songs. "Bomb Away" is closer and closer to rock song, with vocal came as leading voices. Duo Morse in panning distortion is also a feature here. Now, "The Fury of My Love" is closer to Dream Theater works. There is James LaBrie-things in the vocals and Jordan-things in the keyboards. Just another weird 'chemistry' from them.

"A Place in Your World" , not trying to make it up, but this sounds Steve Morse. The intro at least reminds us to Steve Morse solo portfolio. "Lost Without You" is a lovely tunes, my favorite simple song from this album. You got original drum leading song, nice song writing on this one. "One Love Forever" , a sliding guitar song in folk dancing rhythm, interesting if you got these guys doing it. And at least one dark theme song in "Peaceful Harbor", this is kind of emotional ballad we have. And at least one epic for the ending. It's like the end of jamming session, "Cosmic Symphony" is a must material where Neal, Steve, Mike, Dave unleashed their musical passion, with an interruption of Casey ever haunting vocals.

Second Nature is their casual jamming materials we might expected. It's different from their debut, where song are more vocal in nature. Second Nature come as prog in front. Good news on that, a bit of down notes is we think this albums sounds too Neal-Mike projects. Hard to evade since the duo already in several projects, in Neal Morse band and Transtlantic. As ending note, we urge Portnoy to produced his other pet project too, The Winery Dogs.

Favorite songs: all, "Lost Without You", "Open Up Your Eyes", "Mask Machine"
Metal Harem class: ********** nine stars out of ten

Flying Colors - Second Nature (2014)
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1. "Open Up Your Eyes" 12:24
2. "Mask Machine" 6:06
3. "Bombs Away" 5:03
4. "The Fury of My Love" 5:10
5. "A Place in Your World" 6:25
6. "Lost Without You" 4:46
7. "One Love Forever" 7:17
8. "Peaceful Harbor" 7:01
9. "Cosmic Symphony
 I. "Still Life of the World" — 3:15
 II. "Searching for the Air" — 2:58
 III. "Pound for Pound" — 5:33" 11:4

 Steve Morse – lead and rhythm guitar
 Casey McPherson – lead vocals
 Neal Morse – keyboards, vocals
 Dave LaRue – bass guitar
 Mike Portnoy – drums, percussion, vocals

 Additional Personnel
 The McCrary Sisters – background vocals on "Peaceful Harbor" and "Cosmic Symphony"
 Chris Carmichael – strings on "The Fury of My Love" and "Peaceful Harbor"
 Shane Borth – strings on "Bombs Away"
 Eric Darken – hand drums on "One Love Forever"

Distant Lights - Not Thinking Not Dreaming (2013)

Distant Lights is a four piece modern rock band from Austin, TX. During their six years of ‘combining science, mesmerizing passion, intensity, and pure virtuosity’ as their Facebook stated, Distant Lights has recorded two albums.  Not Thinking Not Dreaming is their latest release and this time they have opted to release the album for free, but you can also choose to buy the physical disc also. NTND is satisfactory for its rich and creative compositions. Although putting many different sounds and almost cross genres experiments, each songs remained simple yet has distinguished uniqueness.

Tightrope is the opening track and is a tight modern rock piece infused with muddy riffs. I really enjoy the dynamic groove in this song, especially Sam Marshall’s attacking bass. The choruses is easy to sing along but not too so with the backing music! You’ll find the drum on the chorus parts is done in trivial pattern and staccatos. You can clearly observe the band members enjoying their jobs, playing their distinguished parts in details. The result is a well written song that open NTND with positive expectation for those who never listen to Distant Light previously.

On the second track is Science Of It All, the band holds the listener's breath by slowing down the tempo into medium pace. This song has remind me a bit of Chad Taylor’s with his Live band when the singer kicks in. Large portion of psychedelic chords in this song giving more alternative feel. The band is outside the standard song structure by placing the climax verse and shredding guitar solos as one part in the end.
Blindfold is the heaviest track on the album and it's intro riffs are heavy metal to the core, something that will remind you of Trivium or other similar artists. Yet, when shifting into the song’s verses, the band switches back to their core modern rock sound. Further to the middle section of this song, there is a double pedal drumming with a guitar riff inspired by Metallica’s . That did not immediately lead the band to do guitar solos in thrash metal styles but rather you hear a very un-conservative guitar phrases. This kind of sudden twist is the dynamic throughout this album.

Just when you think the album begin to went too technical, Heart of Fire is a straight forward one, simple catchy rock. Of course when the second verses kick in the band did not forget to added their signature variation in a form of guitar  arpeggios effect. For once, Gaelan Bellamy and his guitar solos is ruling here.
We also got two slow tunes. The first is Make It Go Away which enjoy bass line arpeggio and cello-like string sounds. Then Came and Went, in which the choruses sing in falsetto mode. In the main verses the vocals mixed with atmospheric room effect. These two songs really stretch the album dynamic from heaviest track like Blindfold go further to grinding ballads.

The rest of other songs just came in between. For example, To Late is thick synth-like drum beat track, credited to their creative drummer Kevin Abbenante. Suffocating with its long and winding choruses is then leading us to the darker side. Horizon is a relax piano in the beginning but leads to triumphant “….to the Horizon” scream, perfectly placed as the finale last track.

Not Thinking Not Dreaming is an enjoyable 40 minutes music treat. By only few spins, songs are become familiar.  I find one of the tips is all song titles were made into chorus or memorable parts of the lyrics. The singer’s voice is very accessible, embedded into the music nicely. I praised the band success in creating every parts of instrument speaking loud each other in complimentary ways. The band also able to avoid repetitive ideas and in their 11 songs, they were all creatively well composed. If you like modern rock with lots of innovative and original ideas, Distant Light’s NTND is the correct album to tune in.  (reviewed by Metal Harem with a help of Mike H on editing)

Metal Harem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Distant Lights - Not Thinking Not Dreaming (2013)
Buy it Here - Amazon

1. Tightrope
2. Science of It All
3. What's On Your Mind
4. Suffocating
5. Too Late
6. Blindfold
7. Defiled
8. Make It Go Away
9. Came and Went
10. Heart of Fire
11. Horizon

Gabriel Fry - lead vocals
Gaelan Bellamy - guitar, vocals
Sam Marshall - bass
Kevin Abbenante - drums

Asia - Gravitas (2014)

Two years after the last album by supergroup Asia (it's called XXX), there comes brand new one called Gravitas. On remarks, this is the fourteen studio album by Asia, but the first featuring brand new guitarist Sam Coulson of only 27 years old. Sam is almost 20 years apart his band mates. On Sam Coulson, he was previously making fame by hitting Youtube celebrity status, successfully attracted Paul Gilbert's attention and his career sealed in when Asia shortlisted him.

Gravitas is mostly consisted of mid-tempo songs, very much stayed in the same water as in XXX. Valkyrie as the opener is a sign that the band maximized their creativity on the softer melodic rock feel. The song is having less obvious usage of guitar riffs, but thick organ/keyboards layers plus an upfront lead drumming. Of course the stealing attention is the vocals chorus harmony that having significant portion throughout the song. The next song Gravitas is heavy in keyboard showcase by Geoff Downes in the intro. This song has another solid leading beat and the guitars distortion sounds is perfectly match the song requirement. The Closer I Get To You is lyrical piano ballad, very radio friendly. Nyctophobia also did not raise more heaviness compared to the tracks we reviews just now. On Heaven Help Me Now, we got another sequences of orchestration that completely contrasting the followed up theme. Joe Di Maggio's Voice is as interest as the title suggested, it's a baseball catchphrase, the song begin in sweet e-piano sounds and indeed another enjoyable ballad. You can get the full acoustic version later. The last song is Till We Meet Again, is a light wild west theme song.

Overall, Gravitas runs in modest melodic rock trail. Not much wild and crazy riffs, but the catchy-ness is still present. Geoff Downess seems like the leading instrumentalist with Sam Coulson is happy with his melodic blues solos. John Wetton of course still got his magic voices to maintained Asia sounds. Compared to XXX, Gravitas is even more subtle in tempo, emphasizes more into the song structure and composition. Good news is, Gravitas still pretty much on Asia original identity, even after more than thirty years of career. A great prolonged legacy.

Metal Harem class: ********* eight stars out of ten

Asia - Gravitas  (2014)
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1. Valkyrie
2. Gravitas
3. The Closer I Get To You
4. Nyctophobia
5. Russian Dolls
6. Heaven Help Me Now
7. I Would Die For You
8. Joe Di Maggio's Glove
9. Till We Meet Again
10. The Closer I Get To You (Acoustic)
11. Joe Di Maggio's Glove (Acoustic)

John Wetton – lead vocals, bass
Carl Palmer – drums
Geoff Downes – keyboards
Sam Coulson – guitars

Ayreon - The Theory of Everything (2013)

Aaarg... This is a difficult album to review. The reason is Ayreon music is just too complex, it's difficult to give a comment on each song unless we go track by track. The Theory of Everything is the eight studio album, an opera of metal music as always. After his last album 01011001 the first Ayreon story was actually reach the end, so this album is a new tale. Arjen Anthony Lucassen is hiring again. Interesting line up of vocalists and instrumentalist. Now that we know the gathering of super star is quite usual nowday, in 2013 we already see Avantasia, Timo Tolkki's Avalon and some others. In Ayreon line up we mostly see fresh singer such as Tommy Karevik who did excellent in Kamelot, Sara Squadrani as main female lead, and many others. In instrumentalist, it's crazier with YES and ELP keyboardist on board and Jordan Rudess, who been busy lately with DT and side jobs.

The Theory of Everything is basically four compositions with interesting movements title. The first phase is Singularity. On The Theory Of Everything part I,  we introduced to the main theme. It's story started simply but intrique with the Teacher and the Girl introducing the Prodigy.  Very familiar tunes as it's something like The Human Equation:Isolation theme. This phase mostly just an 'introductionary' where the storyline that over the music pretty much. Only in The Teacher's Discovery we turn into contrasting theme with different set of scale. Progressive Waves is mostly mostly variation movement without voices, enjoy the battle of keyboardist. And the phase I simply finished after this climax with the main theme repeated.
Phase II: Symmetry, this phase even more focus on the vocal parts. See how in The Consultation the opera-type of singing make things difficult in the instrumentation department. From Diagnosis to Potential is dedicated to developed the dialog. Quantum Chaos is the 'solos' movement. It ended the phase with The Predictions, which is making things hanging and unresolved.

Phase III: Entanglement, as in the templates 2nd movement Transformation is where the main theme introduced. Unlike the first two phase where things a bit slow and light, in Collision we getting heavier and faster. The duet male character taking the show under this movement. We interrupted briefly by Frequency Modulation as a bridge into the sub part. Then String Theory is likely the solos movement with Fortune? ended the phase, again in unresolved situation. Phase IV: Unification, is to be the last phase and expected most interesting one. It's started quickly, Mirror Of Dreams introduced the main theme. It's more lyrical or in the term of heavy metal, more melodic. A bass house music beat starts The Lighthouse, to be the calm before the storm feeling type. This phase begin to quote the previous phase, as in the Argument part II, we again recall the dialogue between the Mother and the Father, with his high pitch voices. We reach the beginning of the last, start with the Breakthrough. The conflicts between the Prodigy and the Rival come to happy ending. Dark Energy start with something victory theme so we know the ending is near. Because we back to the grand main theme in The Theory of Everything part III. Ok folks, light on , but enjoy the last reprise to the Blackboard that basically, again, make the story open ended.

Basically this is an album with pretty heavy storyline and the music did put aside for a little. There is not much highlight of musical, as in say, The Human Equation. So we will mostly remember the vocal song, rather than the instrumentation, except for the main theme. Excellent work by Arjen, he able to starts a new Ayreon project with pretty much same quality as their predecessor. A sequel is to be expected.

Metal Harem class: ********** nine stars out of ten

Ayreon - The Theory of Everything (2013)
Buy it HERE - Amazon

Disc I	Disc II
01. Phase I: Singularity	01. Phase III: Entanglement
1 - Prologue: The Blackboard	1 - Fluctuations
2 - The Theory Of Everything [I]	2 - Transformation
3 - Patterns	3 - Collision
4 - The Prodigy's World	4 - Side Effects
5 - The Teacher's Discovery	5 - Frequency Modulation
6 - Love And Envy	6 - Magnetism
7 - Progressive Waves	7 - Quid Pro Quo
8 - The Gift	8 - String Theory
9 - The Eleventh Dimension	9 - Fortune?
10 - Inertia
11 - The Theory Of Everything [Part II]
02. Phase II: Symmetry	02. Phase IV: Unification
1 - The Consultation	1 - Mirror Of Dreams
2 - Diagnosis	2 - The Lighthouse
3 - The Argument I	3 - The Argument II
4 - The Rival's Dilemma	4 - The Parting
5 - Surface Tension	5 - The Visitation
6 - A Reason To Live	6 - The Breakthrough
7 - Potential	7 - The Note
8 - Quantum Chaos	8 - The Uncertainty Principle
9 - Dark Medicine	9 - Dark Energy
10 - Alive!	10 - The Theory Of Everything [Part III]
11 - The Prediction	11 - The Blackboard [reprise]

Arjen Anthony Lucassen – electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards

Vocalists
JB (Grand Magus) as The Teacher
Sara Squadrani (Ancient Bards) as The Girl
Michael Mills (Toehider) as The Father
Cristina Scabbia (Lacuna Coil) as The Mother
Tommy Karevik (Kamelot, Seventh Wonder) as The Prodigy
Marco Hietala (Nightwish, Tarot) as The Rival
John Wetton (Asia, King Crimson) as The Psychiatrist

Musicians
Ed Warby (Hail of Bullets, Gorefest) – drums
Ben Mathot (Dis) –violin
Rick Wakeman (Yes) – keyboards
Keith Emerson (Emerson Lake and Palmer) – keyboards
Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) – keyboards
Steve Hackett (Genesis) – lead guitar
Troy Donockley (Nightwish) – Whistles, Uilleann pipes
Maaike Peterse (Kingfisher Sky) – cello
Jeroen Goossens (Flairck) – flute and other woodwinds
Siddharta Barnhoorn – orchestrations
Michael Mills (Toehider) – Irish Bouzouki
Wilmer Waarbroek – backing vocals

Ayreon Theory of Everything album review

Deep Purple - NOW What! (2013)

Since the inclusion of Steve Morse in Deep Purple, about almost twenty years ago, Deep Purple is almost unlikely to have a 'metal' sounds as what they did another twenty years ago. Instead, they keep coming out with 'obscure' blues and progressive rock materials. Of course creativity-wise the materials released from Perpendicular, Abandon, Banana, Rapture of the Deep were all intrigue and mind blowing at some. But those materials are usually only lasted for several round of spin, and then abandoned like a bananas in the deep forest. So that when the new 2013 album come with a title, NOW What? It become the auto critique to what their musical journey actually wanted to go.

Now What is lean more toward melodic and progressive rock, rather than say, blues as in the Bananas. The album contained several serious composition, as in Out of Hand where the orchestration combined well with '70s heavy rock riffs. Then the single Hell to Pay is catchy enough to celebrated by fans, it is something like Bruce Springsteen happy country rock combined with Deep Purple roots. Where some material are obviously the result of jam session, as in Body Line, they were a good jam by world class musicians. All The Time In The World, the second single has the nostalgic Ian Gillan ballad touch. Above and Beyond, in gospel like country rock tunes. Then Don Airey works in the fusion of symphonic rock can be found in Vincent Price.

Fans of Steve Morse will probably more celebrated NOW What, than Deep Purple fans if I may predict. Mostly because these songs still become Morse's great vehicle to landed his skillful melodious solos, together with Don Airey answering keyboard solos. The other 'founding' fathers, Ian Paice, Roger and Gilland enjoying pushing their musical skill to the limit in their late '60s. NOW What is another strange, weird, obscure Deep Purple album that combined many unrelated styles in one album. Must say I enjoy listening their music in here, but again, will this another abandoned masterpiece by the world? Most likely, as we are more into heard another Machine Head covered by Iron Maiden and Metallica, maybe.

Metal Harem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Deep Purple - NOW What! 2013
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01. A Simple Song
02. Weirdistan
03. Out Of Hand
04. Hell To Pay
05. Body Line
06. Above And Beyond
07. Blood From A Stone
08. Uncommon Man
09. Après Vous
10. All The Time In The World
11. Vincent Price

Line-up
Ian Gillan - vocals
Donald "Don" Airey - keyboards
Steve Morse - guitars, vocals
Ian Paice - drums
Roger Glover - bass, vocals

Deep Purple NOW What album review

Geoff Tate's Queensryche - Frequency Unknown (2013)

It's a shame that a band like Queensrÿche can't prolong its legacy and need to split into to two flagships. For vocalist Geoff Tate, the move is necessary since his 'musical directions' become not friendly with what Queensrÿche want to go. So here we got, the first Geoff Tate's Queensrÿche recording, coming out April 2013, decades after the man put the metal world upside down with classics Empire and Operation Mindcrime. The album dubbed Frequency Unknown supported by many musicians, listed below. The album is anything but melodic rock, rather far from the progressive metal Queensrÿche once held.

The first song Cold is melodic hard rock, an AOR feel verses and choruses. Pretty much a good listening from this starter. The second take is Dare, is a bit of modern, it's feel as Deep Purple new materials with inclusion of keyboard ornamental inside. Then jump to Slave, comes the catchy hard rock tunes with intrigue running riff to make it grab a little attention. Then go to Running Backwards where the title make a memorable chorus line and the beat is strong. Life Without You is the closest point to get the Empire-era Queensrÿche feel. Piano intro and nu-metal feel in Everything ala Evanescence, really. Then ended with acoustic ballad The Weight of the World. Geoff saved us with four re-mix and re-recorded tracks of Queensrÿche classic such as I Don't Believe in Love, Empire etc.

So, where is the progressive metal once Queensrÿche become champion of, you asked. I think that is not the direction of GT's Queensrÿche as well. This is merely a melodic rock album with many guest musicians to add a bit of colors. Instrumentations are great, such as in song Dare, where the sound of gamelan-like percussion can added accent to the song. Of course those missed Geoff Tate charismatic vocals can become attached, but then this album serves more as personal solo albums and the materials are randoms. Give it a shoot if you really Queensrÿche enthusiast.

UPDATE, Oh btw, if you find this new album not entertaining, or offence to your musical style, just write a rants put a name and send it to Geoff himself. This is no kidding, see the information right here http://cleorecs.com/home/queensryche-best-rant-contest/  - GOOD LUCK!

Metal Harem class: ******* seven stars out of ten

Geoff Tate's Queensrÿche - Frequency Unknown (2013)
buy it HERE

1. "Cold" Lukas Rossi, Geoff Tate 3:39
2. "Dare" Slater, Tate 3:38
3. "Give It to You" Chris Cox, Slater, Tate 4:35
4. "Slave" Slater, Tate 3:54
5. "In the Hands of God" Rossi, Tate 3:49
6. "Running Backwards" Martín Irigoyen, Slater, Tate 3:28
7. "Life Without You" Slater, Tate 4:42
8. "Everything" Irigoyen, Slater, Tate 4:28
9. "Fallen" Slater, Tate 4:18
10. "The Weight of the World" Randy Gane, Slater, Tate 6:15

 Bonus tracks (2013 versions) 
11. "I Don't Believe in Love" (from Operation: Mindcrime, 1988) Chris DeGarmo, Tate 4:32
12. "Empire" (from Empire, 1990) Tate, Michael Wilton 5:24
13. "Jet City Woman" (from Empire, 1990) DeGarmo, Tate 5:33
14. "Silent Lucidity" (from Empire, 1990) DeGarmo 5:41  

 Geoff Tate – lead vocals
 Kelly Gray – guitars, guitar solo (on track 1)
 Robert Sarzo – guitar solo
 Rudy Sarzo – bass
 Randy Gane – keyboards, bass, orchestration, voices
 Simon Wright – drums

Guest musicians

    Nina Noir - spoken word, background vocals
    Emily Tate – background vocals
    Miranda Tate – background vocals
    Craig Locicero – rhythm guitars (on track 1)
    Martín Irigoyen – guitar, bass, drums
    K.K. Downing – guitar solo
    Chris Poland – guitar solo
    Ty Tabor – guitar solo
    Brad Gillis – guitar solo
    Dave Meniketti – guitar solo
    Chris Cannella – guitar solo
    Jason Slater – bass, keyboards, solo, theremin
    Paul Bostaph – drums
    Evan Bautista – drums
    Lita Ford – uncredited

Production

    Jason Slater – production, mixing (original mix)
    Anthony Focx – production (on track 1), remixing (on track 1)
    Glenn Fricker – remixing (on track 8)
    Jürgen Engler – remixing (on track 14)
    Maor Appelbaum – mastering, remastering
    Andy Dequara – engineer
    Brian Perera – executive producer
    Jeff Albright – publicity
    Anthony Clarkson – artwork, layout

Neal Morse - Momentum 2012

Usually Neal Morse alone is enough to kill the time with some awesome prog music. This month, Neal Morse team up (again) with Mike Portnoy and recorded newest progressive material called Momentum. While Mike Portnoy already coming out with two big projects this year, Adrenaline Mob and Flying Colour (and a jam tour with Derek Sherinian, Billy Shehan and Tony MacAlpine) , this album with Neal Morse is perhaps the closest album in the same spirit of Liquid Tension Experiments. Serving bassist is Randy George. Also please welcome Paul Gilbert and fresh blood Adson Sodre in guitars department. This album is something Neal Morse heaviest I ever heard, the spirit is all there, different with the previous album "Testimony 2" that a rather technical works.

The ball is set high as soon as Momentum in play. Neal's keyboard licks started accompanied with Portnoy's  signature tom-tom fill. Vocal is still there with Neal Morse signature harmony chorus. The songs is uplifting, something Ayreon met Dream Theater. Of course high level musicianship is the main menu here. Thoughts Part 5 is very complexes composition. A use of orchestration effect, multi odd tempo and awesome singing layering is why Neal Morse the top dog of progressive head nowday. Smoke and Mirrors suddenly ease down, the main point here is the nice song writing in ballad form. Time to enjoy how minimalist Neal Morse's vocal and basic acoustic guitar still can do. Weathering Sky is built upon thematic licks with element of funk inside. Freak is again different feel, lighter and happier mood, Neal Morse cleverly put five different style of song to "prelude" the "epic" last composition, World Without End. Listen to the slow introduction built up, this is superb epic progressive metal act. The main first "movement" is instrumental focus on Neal Morse shredding keyboard and guitar solos. The lengthy 33 minutes composition is the same height as Dream Theater Six Degree ... era song, that Mike Portnoy maybe missed this lately years.

This is yet masterpiece recording by Neal Morse. He seems conquered yet another Everest of music since this is something his most "metal" recording. Mike Portnoy is keep burning other drummer's kitchen by close the deal to be Neal Morse drummer. Bassist Randy George cold handed down all Neal's keyboard notes, not to meantioned Portnoy changing groove. Paul Gilbert enjoy his high time in throw in high level progressive jam. Adson Sodre is the rising star of the band here, we going to heard from him again soon. What differences Momentum with other progressive metal material is Neal Morse self voice, is still faithful in hard rock style. Lyrically, Neal Morse is always in Christian faith contents as so do this album. Get the latest progressive rock and metal master recording in Momentum now.

Metalharem class: ********* nine stars out of ten

Neal Morse - Momentum 2012
buy it here at Amazon

1. Momentum (6:25)
2. Thoughts Part 5 (7:51)
3. Smoke and Mirrors (4:38)
4. Weathering Sky (4:15)
5. Freak (4:29)
6. World Without End (33:39)

Neal Morse - vocals, guitars, keyboards
Randy George - bass
Mike Portnoy - drums
Adson Sodre - guitar
Paul Gilbert - guitar

Crow7 Symphony of Souls 2012

This is another case where the band’s images take preemptive assumption. Multiply with the album cover , Crow 7 and album Symphony of Souls looks dark and heavier indicated a visual advise that this may be for extreme metal consumption. A deeper research tells the band campaign themselves as Promero, Progressive metal rock band. Something must be up there to give the band members, all hailed from Germany, the slightest idea to invent their new style. We then introduced to band’s brain member Corbin Eved which handle the guitar and vocals. Starting as Corbin’s solo project, Crow7 evolved into quartet and this is their third studio release.

The album starts with Symphony of Souls. It is not a bang start, but rather dark hard rock / progressive rock in a slow build up. As for metal progression, none are really technically fantastic ala Dream Theater or Symphony X. Addition of female backing vocal try to raise the atmosphere into epic and symphonic.  Street of Slaver still with us in the progressive rock territory, some good moment in the middle of song where speech effect comes nicely with a little bass line. Shiva Sigh is got more metal than the first two songs, even included the growling backing vocal there. The Guide is good song to explain the progressive metal rock invention, the song is progressive rock with metal riffing and drumming in the body. So, that’s first four introduction tracks from the album. We still giving sample of 15 items to careful examine the band’s unique style. Symphonic metal intro is also the band’s favourite way to begin the songs, listen to Spawn of Evil and Breed of Crime. Winner of the Quest is ‘80s Queensryche feel although then development to melodic metal pieces.

And that’s all the exhausting 75 minutes on Crow7. Must say the band rather serious in proclaiming new term as they mixed up many elements of metal. From power metal and rather brief shoot of symphonic feel, all experimented. What still less involved here is the present of super shredder to give each song killer moments. Corbin Eved singing style is toward the hard rock / AOR feel,which defined most of song into blur territory of the two combined style. So, read carefully and sample the songs prior so that you not jump into conclusion , especially with the band’s name as heavier as Crow7 and the album cover as dark as Archangel in apocalypse style.

Crow 7 Symphony of Souls 2012 
Buy it here

01. Symphony of Souls
02. Street of Slaver
03. Shiva Sigh
04. The Guide
05. Kingdom of Calm
06. Spawn of Evil
07. Dirty Lies
08. Virtual Reality
09. Great Spirit
10. Winter Breeze
11. Breed of Crime
12. Ocean of Fire
13. Winner of the Quest
14. The Final Ride
15. Where Do We Go Now

Corbin Eved – Leadvox & Guitar
Seth Aban – Guitar & Backingvox
Gideon Vanth – Bass & Screamings
Janus Mantus – Drums

Arjen Anthony Lucassen's Lost in The New Real (2012)

Arjen Anthony Lucassen, composer in progressive metal and rock hailed from Netherland. Owner of Ayreon and Star One progressive metal band, this year, Arjen decided to do his “solo” project. The point is to let himself sing and done most of the work of instrumentation. The album titled Lost in the New Real then released as the result, it’s a double album.

What made different is this project sounds much more Pink Flyod feel, less guitar distortion, less charismatic singing from various singers , compare to Ayreon and Star One project. But then in the blink of eyes you will know this is Arjen music as it is always that sound like space-rock feel. The project also narrated  by actor Rutger Hauer. The tune of the album lyrical is apocalyptic life theme. Parental Procreation Permit speaks about difficulties of raising children in the age. E-Police deal with a theme of cyberspace piracy problem, in the past time flash back. Which is my favourite theme so far with all its enjoyable sarcastic lyric.

Musically, this is all Arjen Lucassen style. There will be no straight blues or Ionian scale here, some are very dissonance as in Yellowstone Memorial Day. The New Real which serves as opening track also didn’t help much in welcoming unfamiliar ear. Lost in the New Real is the last 10 minute composition with interesting cello line there.

Arjen has give the world another fruit of thought in music. Away from his bombastic and epic project as in Ayreon, this album is a smaller scale, and relax environment. The second CD however more or less a tribute album and serves as extended listening hour.

Arjen Anthony Lucassen's Lost In The New Real
buy it here

Disc I
01. The New Real
02. Pink Beatles In A Purple Zeppelin
03. Parental Procreation Permit
04. When I'm A Hundred Sixty-Four
05. E-Police
06. Don't Switch Me Off
07. Dr. Slumber's Eternity Home
08. Yellowstone Memorial Day
09. Where Pigs Fly
10. Lost In The New Real
+ Behind The New Real

Disc II
01. Our Imperfect Race
02. Welcome To The Machine [Pink Floyd cover]
03. So Is There No God?
04. Veteran Of The Psychic Wars [Blue Öyster Cult cover]
05. The Social Recluse
06. Battle Of Evermore [Led Zeppelin cover]
07. The Space Hotel
08. Some Other Time [Alan Parsons Project cover]
09. You Have Entered The Reality Zone
10. I'm The Slime [Frank Zappa cover]
+ Behind The Artwork

Arjen A. Lucassen – Lead Vocals, Guitar, Bass & Keyboards
Ed Warby – Drums
Ben Mathot – Violin
Maaike Peterse – Cello
Rutger Hauer – Spoken Vocals

A complexes and full of easter eggs cover album artwork

Lana Lane - El Dorado Hotel 2012

Here is a completely fresh album,  different from any others by Lana Lane. Lana Lane is a diva in rock, spouse of composer Erik Norlander. They are in one roof so it is logic to see something come out from their kitchen. She is a veteran in providing voice for rock and metal, mostly in difficult composition of jazz or in progressive rock band Ayreon. In this solo album, El Dorado Hotel the music span wide, from progressive rock, AOR, jazz to operatic. The duo support by John Payne, Guthrie Govan, Jay Schellen and Bruce Bouillet all from prog band Asia team. Then several interesting names as you can check in the album information below.

A Dream Full of Fire is the first song. In this eight minutes progressive rock song, Lana Lane tackle the music  well, dictate them by her falsetto yet powerful voice. The instrumentation also notable with solos by chamber string, mandolin and shred guitar. This is jazzy and prog feel opener with AOR chorus, interesting. A second song, with synth intro to Maybe We'll Met Again put this song into thick keyboard driven prog. Next, El Dorado song turn into percussion and jazz rhythm feel. Darkness Fall is even difficult to categorized, here exist intense rock, but overall a light rock close to jazz and pop. Hotel is a sweet light acoustic song, Lana Lane sings with clean voice, as soft as a silk here. Believe is AOR feel, and Lana Lane sing supported with a voice effect. Finally Life of the Party is a straight rock song. This followed by another rock song in galloping chops, Gone Are The Days. Last two, Moon God is another progressive rock composition with song writing that showcase Lana voice successfully. Last epic, In Exile is a sums up of the whole album with mellow and operatic singing in fully intrigue progressive rock composition.

This is a completely refreshing menu. The songs are well interesting to distribute easily into the memory. Composition wise this is well written song by the team. Guitarists in charge accept the challenge of mostly non standard chord progression and nailed them beautifully. Fantastic album.

Metalharem class: ******** nine stars out of ten

Lana Lane - El Dorado Hotel 2012
buy it here

Tracks:
1. A Dream Full of Fire
2. Maybe We’ll Meet Again
3. El Dorado
4. Darkness Falls
5. Hotels
6. Believe
7. Life Of The Party
8. Gone Are The Days
9. Moon God
10. In Exile

Musicians:
Lana Lane: vocals
Erik Norlander: keyboards/synths, additional guitars, bass
John Payne: harmony and choral vocals, mandolin
Mark McCrite: guitars, bass, choral vocals, programming
Bruce Bouillet: guitars
Neil Citron: guitars
Freddy DeMarco: guitars
Guthrie Govan: guitars
Don Schiff: NS/Stick
Mark Matthews: bass
Jay Schellen: drums

Landscape photography artwork for the cover album:

Asia XXX 2012

Supergroup and veteran melodic rock band, Asia is now joins us for the 80s band resurrection wave. Asia released an emotional commemorate album titled XXX. XXX is an album to marked their debut album, thirty years ago. Beating all the odds, its hard to believe we still having the same music from Asia as it is from the 80s.

To get more background story, this is a production from the original Asia line up, Geoff Downes, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and John Wetton. This is their third reunion album. There is another band with a gimmick Asia Featuring John Payne with Guthrie Govan and then Bruce Bouillet as guitarist on board. Asia is one of the band that crossing road with so many musicians and guitarist, understandably that will need two bands to continue their legacy.

The album itself contents many original tunes from expected Asia. Tomorrow The World is enjoyable opening immediately raise the nostalgic Asia memories in its melancholy minor song. Bury Me in Willow demonstrated rock tune with very less distortion guitar, only galloping bass and drumming. No Religion is the classic V#-VI#-I riff. Then Faithful is best in progressive and groove, captured many memories 80s sounds. Face in the Bridge try to be that radio friendly AOR song. The catchy last tune is Judas followed by Reno (Silver and Gold).

Songs put in this album is very consistent in unity of sounds and styles. Singer John Wetton carried each songs in his most comfortable range of voice. Rarely went into too high pitches as in 80s sopranic voice, but stay strong mostly in middle and bass range. Guitarist Howe and keyboardist Downess play in parallel and performed dueling solos most of time without overdone the job. The bass and drums creatively create intrigue grooves and bass line. This is a very enjoyable rock with light progressive and melodious song line. Come get this album for all melodic rock fans.

Metalharem class: ******** eight stars out of ten

Asia XXX - 2012

buy it here

1. Tomorrow The World (6:47)
2. Bury Me In Willow (6:01)
3. No Religion (6:36)
4. Faithful (5:37)
5. I Know How You Feel (4:53)
6. Face On The Bridge (5:59)
7. Al Gatto Nero (4:36)
8. Judas (4:43)
9. Ghost Of A Chance (4:21)

Total Time 49:23

- John Wetton / vocals and bass
- Geoff Downes / keyboards
- Steve Howe / guitars
- Carl Palmer / drums

Release date: June 29th in Europe and July 3rd in North America
Label: Frontiers Records

The special edition have 2 bonus tracks:
- Reno (Silver And Gold)
- I Know How You Feel (Midnight Mix)

Asia's Cover Art that celebrate the debut album and year of dragon

 

Docker's Guild - The Mystic Technocracy (Season 1: The Age Of Ignorance) 2012

Docker's Guild The Mystic Technocracy review

If you like space rock opera, this is the real deal for this year. Docker's Guild is ambitious project of keyboardist composer Douglas R Docker. If the host name alien to you then the musician invited will do. The list are:

John Payne (Asia), Goran Edman, Tony Mills (TNT) and Amanda Somerville in lead/backing vocals.
Guthrie Govan, Jeff Watson (Night Ranger) in Guitars.
Gregg Bissonette, Magnus Jacobson, Drums.
Tony Franklin (Blue Murder) Bass.
Donald D. Docker: Alto and tenor sax, clarinet, spoken voice.
while Douglas himself maintained the keyboard and synth plus vocals work.

This is a very Asia, very AOR formation that end up in the progressive direction.The Mystic Technocracy Season 1 is in between Ayreon and Neal Morse' band. It is slightly less complicated than Ayreon and slightly hard rock than Neal Morse. In the website jargon itself Douglas mentioned “If you like TV series and 1930s serials like Babylon 5, Space 1999, Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers, this is for you. If you like progressive rock bands like Yes, ELP and Dream Theater, AOR bands like Asia and Journey as well as Duran Duran, David Bowie, Jarre and The Rockets, this is also for you. If you have, like me, a healthy dislike of fundamentalism, and blind dogmatic faith, and spend lots of time wondering why so much pain and destruction can be generated by religions whose main goal is supposed to be love and compassion, then this is definitely for you”.

Singer John Payne welcome us to the future in song The Mystic Prophecy. Darwin's Tears is a very Neal Morse vocal line, I even think Neal maybe involved here. Two progressive tracks before we spend four minutes listening to Swedish(?) spoken ala Lulu in Norse Cosmology part 1. Luckily Norse Cosmology part 2 is the real deal rock song delivered by singer Tony Mills. The keyboard excellent riff also found in Judeo-Christian Cosmology song, Jeff Watson and Guthrie Govan sounds like duo from heaven. I suspect most of funky, wah wah rhythm was supplied by Guthrie while the solo take care mostly by Jeff. Legion of Aliens is AOR song beautifully sung by Goran Edman. Loving the Alien give the microphone back to John Payne. The Gem of Love highlight is their best harmony vocal so far and also the best keyboard solo-ing around.

Last part of the album consist of The Secret of DNA epic plus three stand alone songs. This is the medley continuous progressive world that thick layered by synth. It close the album with high feeling, leaving you almost can't believe how 78 minutes passed in this superior music. One thing to note again is the story and theme is about religion conflict, as obviously in the cover album. I think not very well suited the feeling of this music, perhaps that is more a doom or death metal area. This album should be about romantic story across the space and time zone.

All song follow the formula structure: signature keyboard riff plus excellent vocal writing. Many vocals work are top above the music. They are memorable, down to earth progressive song. The music is also didn't top the earth with complicated composition, the guitarist calmly follow the boss who guide them with his keyboard. It is all a matter of top class composition that able to give this album their most strength. It stay in the room where Star One, Ayreon maybe left in the space of radio friendly songs. Supporting rhythm section lead by world drummer Greg Bissonette nailed all the notes maneuver with excellent fill and pattern. You can check it in instrumental song Prophecy. This is also inform me how little I know about Douglas Docker on the scene. If not because Lion Records put a good effort in promoting this CD, I would probably passed this one. This is a top class AOR and progressive music of the year.

Metal Harem class: ******** 9 stars out of 10

Docker's Guild - The Mystic Technocracy Season 1 Age of Ignorance 2012
buy it here


01 A Matter Of Energy
02 The Mystic Technocracy
03 Darwin's Tears
04 Norse Cosmogony (Part 1)
05 Norse Cosmogony (Part 2)
06 Judeo-Christian Cosmogony
07 The Divine Comedy
08 Legion Of Aliens
09 Loving The Alien
10 The Gem Of Love
11 The Secret of DNA (Part 1)
12 Purple Orb
13 The Secret of DNA (Part 2)
14 Prophecy
15 Black Swans

Rush Clockwork Angels 2012

Rush has extended their legacy on the progressive rock universe this year, with album Clockwork Angels. Although two of the tracks had been released years prior, the album contained a full 65 minutes of unheard high quality progressive music. The partner in production with the trio was producer Nick Raskulinecz and recorded around April 2010 to the end of 2011. So, it is another solid and very planned album from Rush.

Caravan is Rush's new millenium hits, with its power riff, tight and solid composition, opened the album. Bu2B is following with even more progressive feel, the drum pattern is complexes and a superb production  highlight their groove that never being so crystal clear. Then we enter the first real new song, Clockwork Angels, is a time travel musical experience. Starting calmly with acoustic guitar and ballad feel, this is seven minutes epic that once again see Rush transform into another musical space. The chorus for this song is rather rare Rush's scale. Also a rare extended guitar solo from Alex Lifeson in the interlude just before the vocal effects take parts.

After the dark feeling, The Anarchist recover the situation with straight drum,bass and riff structure. Carnies and Halo Effect are two modern rock song. Seven Cities Of Gold is another very groovy tunes with tearing eyes thumbing bass line. The Wreckers again bring back the music slightly lower to the ground with its light feel beat, perhaps the most lyrical song so far.

Headlong Fight direct quoted Bastille Day's drum accent in the intro, and is another tired complexes progressive track to keep your eyes lid up. BU2B2 is intermezzo to the previous track with similar name. Wish Them Well continued the pattern to keep thing not over complexes and give listener something easier to enjoy. This is a 70s feel rock song. The closing track, The Garden is a nocturne feel ballad, good thing Rush close the album with a song that melody are very typical theirs.

As in previous Rush, the guitar itself need no spot to truly show itself as virtuosos melodic instrument, but rather a rhythm and show time only on strictly small space between the leading bass line and drum. As for the basses, it is crystal clear the leading conductor here. Drumming is almost perfect in recording, not to mentioned Neil Pert's mastery in groove and fill. Vocal itself as we know is almost the fourth instrument here. If we substitute the vocal line with a violin or sax, I think the song itself will continued perfectly.

So, this is another works that hard to beat from Rush. Production wise and composition wise. If you continued to their video music, the level of perfectness is also there. Top on their game even after 40 years in trio. It's a complexes album to review and more than a couple listening is required to enjoy all their richness here. Do not missed this album with all your strength this year!

Metal Harem class: ********* 9 stars out of 10

Rush - Clockwork Angels 2012
buy it here

1. Caravan (5:40)
2. BU2B (5:10)
3. Clockwork Angels (7:31)
4. The Anarchist (6:52)
5. Carnies (4:52)
6. Halo Effect (3:14)
7. Seven Cities Of Gold (6:32)
8. The Wreckers (5:01)
9. Headlong Flight (7:20)
10. BU2B2 (1:28)
11. Wish Them Well (5:25)
12. The Garden (6:59)

Total Time: 66:40

- Geddy Lee / vocals, bass and keyboards
- Alex Lifeson / guitars
- Neil Peart / drums and percussion
- Nick Raskulinecz / producer

Clockwork Angels Progressive Art Cover Album Desigh