My first review in the new year of an album that has been released just
before Christmas. Every new year I ask myself: 'who am I to judge and have an
opinion about music composed and played by artists". I am not able to write
songs myself and I can't play more than a few. I can only tell you that if I
like it and let you get an idea about the style and whether or not I think it's worth
listening to. I respect every artist and do only judge their product (music) and
not the band or persons behind it. If I think the music sucks, I don't say the
persons in the band suck. The members put thier blood, sweat, time and tears in
what they believe in and are all very proud (like a dog with seven dicks) when
their CD rolls out of the fabric. That doesn't mean that there aren't bands or
musicians that are in the wrong business. Like in every profession (look at
football) you have players that are excellent and players that suck and haven't
got the talent. In music and metal that isn't different that's why I am not
playing in a band, because I know I suck. So if you decide to play in a band and
make a record you must know that there are reviewers that judge you and if you
don't like it to be criticized and can't stand the heat: "Stay out of the
kitchen"!
Now back to this album and the music. This is the second full length album by this Greek
band and in the info I read that it is for fans of Fates Warning, Dream Theater
and Conception. Well they are a bit right about the style of music, but they
haven't got the songs for it yet to be compared and named in the same sentence
as these three bands. In my opinion there aren't a lot of Dream Theater
inlfuences in their music either, the guitar riffs sound a lot less heavy. Take
for example the first song "Don't Let Go", this is a very melodic song with a
catchy refrain. More sounding like a heavier Survivor song than Dream Theater.
The music sounds a bit old school and the production bot completely flawless. I don't
know if that is because I only have some mp3 files and that perhaps the real CD
sounds a lot heavier.
There are a few songs with very good ideas and the mix of prog, power and old
school sounding metal sounds o.k. and especially the keyboard parts brighten it
up. The singing of Alex "Hannibal" Balakakis is common for this style of music,
but rather average. The musicians are gifted, but I miss songs that really make
a difference and some real power in the bit timid production (sound).
Fortunately there are enough things to like about this music, personally I'm not
overwhelmed and very excited about it, therefore it sounds a bit too average.
I will end this review with an ancient Olympic thought that sticks to this
album: 'participating is more important than winning'. Nowadays however
winning is more important and that is what they have to aim for with the next
album.
