WINTERCOAST

For several weeks following my purchase of this album, it dominated my listening, with each repeat adding new depth to my unserstanding and appreciation. Musically, the CD is excellent, with energetic interplay in the vocals, good and variable pacing throughout, and some real first- rate musicianship: progressive rock with a heavy edge and, I think, accessible both to the prog fan and the general listener of well-crafted rock music. The title track deserves special mention on this site as it has the feeling and complexity of a long prog song and is, I think, the strongest piece on the CD, with "Strange Days," "Zinomorph," and "The Witness" parts 1 and 2 not far behind. All in all, very good crossover prog. While I've read reviews suggesting that this album is not as progressive as its predecessor Discordant Dreams, I have to disagree. While Wintercoast is a heavier album, and may or may not be more radio-friendly (if that is relevant), the music has not lost in complexity or intelligence, at least to my ear. I do not think that this band will content itself with doing the same old thing, and am am already looking forward to their next release, whenever that may come.