IN CRESCENDO

I had never heard of this band before seeing this album listed in the new releases column, but it had an interesting looking cover so I dug in. On the strength of Mellotron Storm's comments about the previous release, "Phlegethon" and the generally high marks this release was receiving, I decided to take a chance.

My first impressions were that it didn't really seem to be that 'metal' sounding to me. While the players all seem quite competent, the music is not generally of a highly technical nature. It sounds more like "Deadwing" era Porcupine Tree, than say Dream Theater or Symphony X. The album is riddled with great riffs and hooks and is very fun to listen to. I enjoy the generous use of the acoustic guitar both as texture and lead instrument. The keyboards are used more to create mood and fill out the sound than as a solo instrument, and are tastefully done and utilize quality tones. A solid rhythm section provides a nice bottom end making the sound nice and fat and hard rocking during the up tempo numbers. The vocalist is not always quite in tune and English is clearly not his first language, but this is not really a distraction as he is competent enough and has a pleasant tone. My version does not include the lyrics, so I am not always sure what is being said, but what I can make out suggests that this is not necessarily their forte.

I struggle a little with whether this is 3 or 4 stars, as I do not feel that it is essential, but it is quite an enjoyable listen, and I find myself drifting back to it often. Probably 3.5 rounded up.