A GREAT DIVIDE

To say it short and sweet this album is a fine balance between Progressive metal, classic rock and orchestral bombast. I even dare to say that this album is almost as good as "Queensrÿche - Operation mindcrime" If i have to name influences i would say Dream Theater, Helloween and a touch of Nighwish. But don't worry these guys have enough balls to show us all they are far more then just copycats of the mentioned bands. For these guys it doesn't matter if they write short or long tracks. Both concepts are understood and well done!

The album is divided in two different opuses:

Opus II: The alignment of galaxies which lasts for 34:16 minutes

And

Opus III: The origin of a curse which lasts for 36:05 minutes

Both of them are of course made up by several tracks. It's certainly not easy listening music. You better sit down and listen and i would advice to do it with headphones since the beauty of the album can than be heard in full strength.

1. Forever the voices

Sounds like an orchestra warming up and slowly fades into an orchestra playing with choral voices on top of it.

2. The singer

Influences of Dream Theater and Nighwish. Let's say it is a mix between power and progressive metal woven into eachother. Nice twin guitar work and around the 6th minute the bass guitar get's it's space out in the open.

3. The spirit

Starts with accoustic guitar combined with orchestral elements. The vocals remind me of James LaBrie. Mixed into this all is the voice of Ceara Crandal-Johnson who is a guest on the album.

4. Galactic backward movements

A long instrumental track. The track travels between peacefull symphonic music and metal bombast and around the 6th minute a saxophone shows up. And to show even more diversity at the end the eastern music influences show up which fades into French music influences which i could picture myself again walking at the banks of the Seine with my wife which we did about 10 years ago. For me it's the best track on the album.

5. Manipulation in time

A piece influenced by Dream Theater, Helloween and Ayreon. From the opening of the track until the last notes you are being captured by the beauty of the track. Symphonic bombast with classical influences, a guitar solo which could have been done by Gary Moore (think of parisiene walkways) and the power of Helloween with great twin guitar work and not to forget the poundering bass and drum work.

6. Resolution

Orchestral start in which i recognize a bit of Bach changing into acoustic work with in the background rain falling down. I can also hear a bit of Floyd in the track

7. April in the fall

This one and the next are a bit of a miss on the album and the main reason this album gets 91/100 instead of close to the max.from me. It isn't a bad song but after being blasted with briljant stuff before this tracks it falls on the wayside for me. Symphonic power metal in case you wonder with nice keyboard work.

8. Subliminal delussions

As mentioned at track 7 another track which doesn't make it for me although i have to admit i do like the guitar solo's on this track.

9. Bending the violet

Orchestral bombast with a bit of a horror-movie music woven into it. Weird track but it fits in perfectly with the rest of the songs.

10. The piano plays at last

Easy starting progressive metal track influenced by Helloween (Kiske period) with symphonic influences.

11. Alteration of the ivory

Metal with a saxophone. Not always liked by metal lovers but Suspyre knows exactly where to put the instrument and above all where not! Influenced by Ayreon and Helloween the track travels from a small streaming creek into a fast flowing pountain river.

12. Blood and Passion

Hearing a needle being placed on vinyl when the song starts makes me miss the vinyl-period of music carriers. It changes quiickly in a power metal track with near the end a spark of Beethoven's fifth moven into it. A great way to end this album.

To conclude: this album is a fine balance between Progressive metal, classic rock and orchestral bombast. And yes i said that in the first paragraph too. If you have the time and the money grab this album, you won't be sorry if you do. If you don't have the money start saving up because it belongs in every progressive metal lover's collection.

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