COMATOSE

From the long 4 and a half minutes keyboard intro of the album, you get a first idea of what you are up against. Floydian - I take my time - intro, then at 4:40 the lead guitar appears and your first idea gets stronger. But then no, what is that? Is it a heavy riff? Oh yes it is and it's a damn good one! And then at 7 minutes or so here comes piano and vocals. The opening track of the album "Numb pt 1" has it all and gives the general idea of the album as a whole. There is melody, there is emotion, there is skilled playing, there is heaviness in small doses, and a really catchy chorus. The key word here though is emotion. Lee's playing style derives straight from the masters of emotional playing and of course I'm referring to Dave Gilmour and Andrew Latimer. Technically and sonically I'd say is closer to Latimer (those sustained notes!) but the way of thinking and the structure of the solos lean more towards the Gilmour side. (Ascend The Sky could easily be a b-side of a Division Bell single!) Anyway it's an excellent blend of the two (listen to the solo on "Realization"). The good thing is that both the album and Lee's playing are not stuck to the past, there are many more elements to be found (check out the 90s prog metal feeling on the closing part of "Numb pt II), and a more modern approach to instumentation and execution. Of course there is also a lot of personality in there, so we are talking only of influences and not sterile reproduction. The album is concept. The story is not unheard of before, but fits the music well and there is nothing offensive lyricswise. Vocalist Marc Atkinson does a really good job and so does Gerald Mulligan on drums. A song for song analysis is not needed here, but a special mention should be given to the last two tracks of the album. "No Going Back" is probably the heaviest track of the album but still the chorus is melodic, emotional and catchy. The guitar solo gives a nod to the Falling into Infinity era Petrucci. The last song "Awaken" is my personal favourite. Piano intro (deliberately?) reminding of High Hopes, the whole track is an ode to emotional songwriting and playing. Especially the excellent guitar solo that closes the song (and the album) epitomizes everything we mentioned so far. To conclude, this is a fine effort, not groundbreaking, but this was never the purpose. A 4,5 stars for my personal tastes, a solid four stars all things considered.