THE DIVINE WINGS OF TRAGEDY

1. "Of Sins and Shadows" (4:58) chugging guitar chords and chasing snare beats with keys to help fill the soundscape while competent 1980s hairband lead singer Russell Allen sings in his aggressive FREDDIE MERCURY/ voice. The choral chorus is quite theatric in a QUEEN fashion--as is the lead guitar solo that follows quite similar to the sound and style of BRIAN MAY (though speeded up quite a little). (8.5/10)

2. "Sea of Lies" (4:18) opens with fast fretless bass line which is supported by synth wash before drums and guitar join in. T. Miller is quite impressive here! Vocalist Russell Allen sounds more like Chris Cornell or Layne Stayley. Impressive instrumental performances do not, however, make a great song--at least not this time (though I can sea air-guitar bands loving to perform this one). (8.75/10)

3. "Out of the Ashes" (3:39) a klezmer-like foray into TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA territory--at least, that is, until Russell's vocals enter. QUEEN also comes to mind (again)--especially in the theatric vocal acrobatics. (But the question that keeps forming inside my brain is, What exactly makes people think this is prog?) (8.75/10)

4. "The Accolade" (9:51) (18/20)

5. "Pharaoh" (5:28) interesting syncopated rhythm track set up within which bassist Thomas Miller again impresses (RONNIE JAMES DIO-like vocal is also impressive) turns into a fairly straightforward heavy metal rocker. The delicate passages are very impressive--both for their soundscape and for Russell's impressively sensitive vocals. I love the way in which the hyper-speed bass line is picked up and replicated/expanded upon by the guitarist. A bit of the Arabian MYRATH feel in the instrumental mid-section. A top three song for me. (9.25/10)

6. "The Eyes of Medusa" (5:26) clever variations on the main theme before the vocals even begin. Too bad about that annoying plastic snare sound. I hear a bit of DAVID COVERDALE in Russell's performance this time. Nice. The softening of the music (absence of drums) for the first 45 seconds of the final 90 seconds is a bit weird--cinematic melodrama. (8.75/10)

7. "The Witching Hour" (4:15) a bit of folk/traditional/klezmer feel to the opening guitar/keyboard weave of this one--which then all fades away to make way for the main motif supporting the vocals (all done in straight 2/2 time). (8.25/10)

8. "The Divine Wings of Tragedy" (20:41) a very strong prog epic. (36/40) = 9.0: - a) At The Four Corners Of The Earth - b) In The Room Of Thrones - c) A Gathering Of Angels - d) The Wrath Divine - e) The Prophet's Cry - f) Bringer Of The Apocalypse - g) Paradise Regained

9. "Candlelight Fantasia" (6:45) acoustic guitar arpeggi with cheap computer-synth strings/woodwinds sounds opens this before Russell enters in his most delicate, polished acrobatic voice. Things amp up at1:20 with searing electric guitar but the overall mood remains gothic synthetic. At 2:25 the fast-pick and echoed guitar play enters before we ramp up fully into metal melodrama. There's a bit of a BLUE ÖYSTER CULT faux-occult theatricity to all of this. Nice guitar solo in the fifth minute. A nice journey through a House of Mirrors with a lot of interesting and unexpected twists and turns. (13.25/15)

Total Time: 65:21

Great performances by all musicians--especially bassist Thomas Miller and vocalist Russell Allen--the compositions are adequate with some complex twists and turns to make for interesting and not so one-dimensional metal music. But, there's really not a lot here that I'd really call Proggie.

B/four stars; an excellent addition to any prog lover's music collection--especially if you have a penchant for the heavier metal side of things. Some fine performers here.

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