WALK IN MINDFIELDS

Walk in Mindfields opens up with an explosion, an eruption of a riff - the title track leaves no doubt of what is to come for the listener: straight progressive metal. In their early days Ivanhoe had to bear the cross of being labled - even cherished and praised- by the german music press as the teutonic answer to Dream Theater. In a way they have embodied this creed but only as far as the early Dream Theater.

Being a 2005 release Walk in Mindfields is to be considered harder and more straightforward than anything Dream Theater has released since Images and Words. And to further the mismatch - neither of Ivanhoe's musicians is a Petrucci, Portnoy, Myung or Rudess. What Ivanhoe is, is a band that manages to sound heavy and tight and whose members - supported by the excellent production of the record - can shine as gifted musicians when performing together. Hovering all above the guitar and keyboard work driven forward by a pumping bass and crystal clear sounding drums is Mischa Mang's voice. Described by Bandleader/Leadguitarist/Producer Achim Welsch as guttural voice full of divine pain and demonic power, Mischa can best be compared to Kamelot's Roy Khan in timbre and vocal range. Being an accomplished musical singer he manages more than a cheesy ballad approach and drives his vocal cords through their range remorselessly.

Ivanhoe spend 3 years writing this record and it's easy to see why. Here no extra long soli improvisations are requited to drive the message home. It is delivered by intricate songwriting and intense musicmanship. Five Stars, 10/10