PRÉLUDE À LA RUINE

Nemo outdo themselves once again! Like all good prog, this album (like all Nemo albums) took some time to absorb. This is by far their heaviest album to date (and actually more so than the next album). The first half you could almost accuse them of being Dream Theater clones. However, even though I like DT to some extent, Nemo are far more interesting. But just be prepared for some serious prog metal in the first 5 tracks. Probably I am overstating this a bit, as they are still Nemo and still retain their unique sound, and heavy guitars and drums have always been part of their sound.....but not THIS heavy. 1914 is the track that stands out the most for me, being a fantastic instrumental displaying jaw dropping skillful playing by JPL and Fontaine. I should point out that this is actually the last album for bassist Benoit Gaignon, thought the album info above mistakenly lists Lionel B. Guichard. And Gaignon puts in his usual stellar performance along with the outstanding drumming of JP Itier.

Starting with track 6, we are back in more familiar Nemo territory, with songs much more in the vein of the previous album. Showing more dynamics and the more bouncy, sometimes jazzy vibe that I have come to love about Nemo (though Cluster 84 returns somewhat to the heavyness of the first half of the album). This is not to say that there are not heavy parts as on previous albums, but just a more balanced mixture of styles than the first half. The standout here is definetly the last three tracks that make up the suite Le monde à l'envers.

Overall, another great Nemo album. I can't recommend this band enough to lovers of heavy symphonic prog, and certainly with this album prog metal enthusiasts could certainly find much to enjoy. As a final note, the vocals over all just keep improving with each album, which only makes Nemo even more enjoyable (not that they were ever particularly bad). I have rounded up from 4.5 stars just because I think this band is one of the few truely original prog bands out there right now (but this does fall a bit short of "masterpiece" status).

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