BLUEPRINT

Second album from German (+a French) Heavy Proggers Deafening Opera and my first acquaintance with the band; and I am pleased to say what a delightful one it is. Borrowing from both 70s Heavy Prog and the more modern versions of it, they manage to create an album that sounds professional, catchy and well balanced.

Don't get fooled by their softer (and somehow weaker) side as appears on the opener 'Her Decay' (Spock's Beard and Echolyn come to mind) and further down on the French-sung 'Paralelno' (with a beautiful refrain ala Enchant): this is some serious heavy progressive rock balancing on the retro-riffology that Black Bonzo have brought back and on its contemporary polished interpretation of Porcupine Tree, with occasional references directly to legends such as Atomic Rooster and their descendants Bigelf. All done in style, funky mood ('Dripping Hot Chocolate'), led by accomplished singer Adrian Daleore who can deliver from mellow parts to super-harsh bluesy stuff (a real opera singer as the band revealed!), reminding me of the range of Mike Baker of Shadow Gallery (R.I.P.). Marie's keyboards are very discreet, supporting majestically the pounding riffs of Kunkel and Moser, which are some of the best I have heard in prog music through 2013.

The story told I have not been yet able to discover fully, but the concept is that of a personal journey of experiences; '25,000 miles' captures the feeling perfectly, and although a sad story, the music sounds more enthusiastic/dynamic rather than sad and mellow (with above mentioned exceptions). Despite some few weak moments, this is a solid package of heavy-tilted prog rock, modern, professional and passionate.

Share this DEAFENING OPERA review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to aapatsos
• Report this review (#1116021)
• Buy DEAFENING OPERA music online with PA partners
• Show all DEAFENING OPERA MP3/Stream
• Go to DEAFENING OPERA page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Blueprint page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for DEAFENING OPERA related discussions