INSIGHTS

I've read the same comment so many times when it comes to speak about various prog- metal bands: "oh, this band is just a Dream Theater clone", "another one of the endless herd of DT clones", and as much as I tried, I never could find that one album that truly made me believe the same experiment that generated Dolly the Sheep was repeated with the New York band.

That is, of course, until I heard the voice of a lemur, disguised as a prog-metal band.

I have a serious problem with Lemur Voice: it sounds too much like DT, like AWAKE-era DT, to be precise. The cloning accusations really are on target this time, and I've begun some research to find out how someone got ahold of DT's ADN and used it to create this group.

The band Lemur Voice is no more, it has ceased to exist long ago. So there would be no point in me worrying about future releases. But, in case you're interested in buying this cd, I'll say a few words about the music.

This is really a copy/paste exercise. The musicians are very capable, and can surely play their instruments with skill and virtuosity. The problem is that the music itself is not that interesting. As I said before, it's very much reminiscent of AWAKE, but without the inspiration, the melodies, the energy, and, less than everything, without the originality of that legendary release. Even though the songs aren't that bad, there's nothing new to listen to here. It also lacks punch; it's like the musicians are playing trying to emulate their favorite band but without even leaving his heart on the floor for that, without breaking a sweat, they seem like they were playing by inertia. And the singer? Well, he's just not good. His voice sounds like if Fates Warning's Ray Alder had suddenly lost 10 years and also 10 pints of blood, as the delivery is bland, monotonous, bleak, lineal. Completely fuel-less.

About the songs, all sound about the same. The first track is the better one with vocals, and for sure the second one (the instrumental "Akasha Chronicles") is the best in the album. Actually, if they had recorded a purely instrumental album with more tracks like that one, it would have been a pleasant experience and worthy of maybe 3 or 4 stars. But, as it is, this tracks barely saves the album from 1 star status.

If you want prog-metal that has a little of Dream Theater but also a lot of originallity, try Redemption, try Vanden Plas.

Stay away from the Lemur.

Recommended for: Ultra-hardcore fans of DT that want ALL of their music to sound almost exactly like DT. Fans of prog-metal that don't mind the lack of originality.

Not recommended for: Those looking for a novel prog-metal experience; those looking for an entertaining album; but most of all...

...fans of DT. You should know there's only one DT. As there should be only ONE of each great band.