THE ART OF NAVIGATING BY THE STARS

This is not just good.

It's phenomenal. It is magnificent. It's perfect.

It Sieges Even.

This is the name of the German band that won me over with his sixth album, entitled The Art of Navigating by the Stars. Launched in 2005, this album marked a return to the band's music scene after an absence of eight years. And wow, that return.

This album is spectacular. It would be rather presumptuous to say that he is in my Top 10 progressive metal, but hey, why not? The musicianship on this album is nothing short of amazing, and he was one of my best finds this year (and I've already heard a lot of thing in 2011).

The main thing about The Art of Navigating by the Stars is that it is not an album for headbangers and heavy metal fans. In fact, say that this album is heavy is a kind of sacrilege. it can be anything - melodic, emotional, harmonious, versatile - but isn´t this . I mean, there are times when the guitars provide us with aggressive riffs and things take a frightening turn, but they are only moments - as a whole, the album is far from it.

The nine songs on this album are just part of something larger - a true 63 minute epic that reveals many facets, styles, influences. Starting with the laughter of a baby and ending with the main theme of the album - that verse "The view from here is frightening" (that besides Styx, the final track, is sung in The Weight, Stigmata and probably some other song) - the album reveals a cycle, whose lyrical focus seems to be related to the phases of life. this is evidenced by the laughter of baby described above and the title of the last track, Styx, which is the river of death in Greek mythology.

Musically, the album is impeccable (forgive me if I am using too many adjectives in this review). Seriously, rad band is very good - and they do not have a keyboardist, I admit that in my opinion this is the only weak point of the album, because sometimes lack that "atmosphere" that keyboards offer - but this is offset by four prodigious and excellent musicians: the brothers Oliver and Alex Holzwarth drums and bass respectively, Markus Steffen guitarist and vocalist Arno Menses .Each one shines in its function, not lacking. With them aboard, who needs a keyboard?

(Actually there is an external element to the album: a beautiful flute in Lighthouse but according to Menses was a kind of improvisation)

Well, gives pair see how much I liked this album and how much I recommend it to other listeners. It may not be the progressive metal album that is expected, but up to my expectations - and is now one of my favorites of the genre. 5 stars!

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