DARK MATTER

"Dark Matter" is my first acquaintance with IQ. What can I say? Its good progressive rock. "Sacred Sound" is a fabulous opener and "Harvest of Souls" is a great epic. There's no denying that this five man band can create some great music. Unfortunately, I can't say that this album is essential for a prog collection. A few things turn me off about this album. First, there is very little thats original about this music. In listening to progressive rock, I'd like to think that it really is "progressing" in some way... groups like Dream Theater and Spock's Beard, although not my favorite groups, have taken the progressive sound of their predecessors and altered it in some way. What if every metal band just rehashed Guns n' Roses, Metallica, and Judas Priest? What would the point be? Similarly, what good is there in a band rehashing the music of Genesis and Marillion? Even Marillion was more original than this! As previous reviewers have said, the resemblances between this album and Genesis' Foxtrot are striking. "Harvest of Souls" and "Supper's Ready" have some uncanny similarities... the acousic guitar intro, most of the organ parts, and the end of the song, and the end that sounds like " Apocalypse in 9/8". Another beef I have with this album is the political commentary that appears in "Harvest". Although the band has the freedom of speech and may say what they want in their songs, I don't think this section benefits the song or its listeners. "Hide where you can, we will shoot you where you stand." Does America really do this? Its a little overkill if you ask me. In any event, I don't much approve, but again, they can do what they wish. Finally, the three songs in the middle of the album aren't that spectacular. But, despite these criticisms, the music is truly fantastic, and if you're looking for some Genesis-like prog, this is definitely for you. On the merit of Sacred Sound and Harvest of Souls alone, I give this album three stars.