MABOOL - THE STORY OF THE THREE SONS OF SEVEN

'Mabool' is a unique album. It marries progressive metal - not quite death metal, as some think - with Middle-Eastern sounds. Further, the inclusive, conciliatory lyrics will appeal to all who wish that troubled region well. This said, it takes more than interesting sounds and laudable sentiments to make a masterpiece. ORPHANED LAND may have a masterpiece within them, but this isn't quite it. The lyrics can be a little shallow and twee on occasion, and the music is often unconvincing, sounding more like a pastiche than a true western-eastern hybrid. Despite the growling vocals I'm reminded far more of DREAM THEATER than I am of OPETH or the other namechecked bands these lads are compared to. Like DREAM THEATER, some of their ideas work and some don't. The result is a rather uneven album.

This album is well worth tracking down and listening to if you are a fan of progressive metal. I can't see it as a masterpiece, and it's not quite a four-star album, but a very solid three star effort. I very much hope the band continues on to make the magnum opus they're undoubtedly capable of.

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