THE GODDESS

Mind Over Four was a metal band that basically sounds like a classic nineties progressive metal group with a classic metal singer who - most strangely - believes himself to be a hardcore punk singer. Think perhaps of an even more expressive form of Faith No More-like metal. The vocalist, Spike Xavier, reminds me of what very enthusiastic kids sound like when the impersonate some-one. He fills up the songs with these extremely expressive lines that really fit the musical themes, but aren't so much like though-out melodies. He just is and when he hits it right it is very original and exciting. The guitars by Mike Jensen are full of Iron Maiden like double harmonies and his riffs are just all great. I'd say a little more progressive and inventive than for instance Fates Warning, yet in that same vain. Some of it reminds me a bit of the better moments on a King Diamond record. Another reverence would be mid-career Voivod, another metal band that would show traces of punk in the vocal department. The compositions are all very inspired; original ideas on harmonic and dissonant riffs, rhythmically always in motion, energetic and really concise. The band switches easily from one atmosphere to the next. Moreover, another band would probably have made a 15 minute longer record with the same ideas. Because of the odd vocals this will put some people of for sure, but I would say this could be a real gem for fans of progressive metal music in the vein of Fates Warning, Voivod and Faith No More. I myself like this record for its forceful display of raw talent. It is quite lively for an otherwise somewhat sterile genre.