SUN CAGED

"Sun Caged" is the eponymously titled debut full-length studio album by Dutch progressive metal act Sun Caged. The album was released through Lion Music in October 2003. Sun Caged formed in 1999 after the demise of Dutch progressive metal act Lemur Voice, where a couple of the members came from, and released the "Scar Winter" demo in 1999. The independently released "Dominion" EP followed in 2001, but since Sun Caged still needed a recording contract they released the "Promo 2002" demo in 2002, which finally secured them the recording contract with the Lion Music label.

The Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Ayreon, Star One) mixed affair features a powerful and well sounding production job, which makes this debut album a real treat in terms of production values. Stylistically this is Dream Theater influenced progressive metal with a touch of Enchant. The album is loaded with heavy riffs, time-signature changes, blistering lead guitar and keyboard work, clever and sophisticated drumming and bass performances, and a powerful and skilled vocalist in front. Lead vocalist Andre Vuurboom has a voice which isn´t far from the voice of James LaBrie (Dream Theater) but also with a touch of Ted Leonard (Enchant, Thought Chamber, Spock's Beard). The latter is arguably also an influence when it comes to the melody lines.

So while Sun Caged won´t win many uniqueness competitions, they are still a highly professional and skilled act, who compose intriguing, memorable, and powerful progressive metal and fans of this type of progressive metal should definitely investigate this album further. The high level musicianship from both the instrumentalists and from Vuurboom is inpeccable and a great asset. You´ll find new interesting songwriting ideas all the time, but the band also rock pretty hard, so this never becomes boring or too artsy. In other words there is a good balance between sophisticated technical playing, melodic elements, and heavy and hard rocking sections. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is fully deserved.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives).

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