ANTHEM TO CREATION

Until Rain is a progressive metal band that was formed back in 2004 in Thessaloniki, Greece. It took until 2009 for their debut album to appear, and they are now back with their second, and yet again I find myself at a total loss to try and work out how come I haven't come across these guys before? There are some great bands coming out of Greece at the moment, and Until Rain are definitely part of that group. Here is a band that is bringing together elements of prog metal, melodic and experimental metal, art rock, electronic music with some AOR sensibilities, so that they come across as Threshold mixed with Dream Theater, Dragonforce and Symphony X, with bits of King Crimson thrown in for good measure. Yannis Papadopoulos is an incredible singer, with great range and control, and behind him is a band with every skill one could wish for. Lefteris Germenlis has a deft touch on the keys, sometimes being over the top and at others adding just little nuances, while bassist Bill Gkagkavouzis is happy to play in and around the beat adding his own melodies, or just to tack it down while drummer Alex Hughes is monstrous. Then last, and certainly not least, we have Theo Amaxopoulos, who is a shredder par excellence.

There are times when the band is heavy, really heavy, and Theo is providing an incredible note density yet at all times he knows that he has a part to play within the whole and the result is a band that are always on the edge, always striving for that little bit more, but never allowing any single person to take over the whole show. Until it is time for he solos that is, when they all use the opportunity to shine without forgetting that it is a band effort. Along with the aforementioned bands, fans of Savatage and Stratovarius should be aware that here is a band that are mixing the prog metal, symphonic metal and power metal genres into something that is intense, melodic, powerful and essential, all at the same time.

I notice that the band are currently offering a special deal on their albums and EP so now could not be a better time to discover yet another incredible act from Greece. And if someone asked me to pick between these guys and Firewind, it would be Until Rain that would win out. For more details visit www.untilrain.com

In a year with several disappointing progressive metal releases, I think it's safe to say that I am a little wary. However, I think this is a good state of mind to employ because then an album has a chance to surprise you. Greece's Until Rain have done just that with their pleasant brand of melodic prog metal.

Sometimes, 'Anthem to Creation' feels like a power metal album. Other times, it feels like melodic metal. Still again, it feels like a heavier version of neo-prog. The band certainly breaks the mold by introducing quite a bit of variety, though the distinctions between songs aren't immensely different. They are there, though.

What does that mean? It means that Until Rain offers metal fans plenty of crashing riffs and technical expertise, especially early on in the album. Tracks such as 'Living Hell' (possibly the best) and 'Empty Helmet' definitely fall here; but other tracks, such as 'Marionettes', employ a great synth-driven style that I was surprised to hear. Complex, yet beautiful in both melody and vocal harmony, 'Anthem to Creation' has much going for it. I must say, though, that I'm not a huge fan of the vocals, although the singer certainly does not grate upon my ears. His voice is pretty standard, though.

Instrumentally, the band excels. The drumming is appropriate, and features some great fills. The guitar work is also hard-hitting and dynamic. Indeed, I think I would place Until Rain under the Symphony X umbrella instead of the Dream Theater realm of influence simply because the guitar work is so much like 'Paradise Lost' and the like. This band certainly can play, and the composition is pretty good, too. In fact, the title track is a great 18+ minute epic, so that in itself shows that these guys can write well.

All in all, this isn't an earth-shattering release, but it is competently written, expertly performed, and passionately presented. It also helps that some rather deep topics are in discussion within this album, so that adds to the intensity and almost desperate tone of some of the songs. Progressive metals fans will really be pleased with this solid release, I think.

Until Rain is aone of the promissing prog metal bands not only from Greece but from Europe aswell in last years. This year, few month ago, they released their second offer named Anthem to creation. I know their previous album from 2009 (don't count here the EP from 011) and I was pleasent surprised about their music, really. They offer a type of Dream Theater like prog metal, with nice breaks, twists and all the ingredinets to be afairly good album. Well, the follow up is even better and tops the previous work easely. The vocalist, the new voice of Until Rain Yannis Papadopoulos is a competent full of power voice who really manage to have some spectacular moments like on opening Brain Death on Living Hell is amazing , some top notch vocal lines. Speaking about instrumental parts, all pieces kick ass, specially Living Hell, Empty Helmet, the epic title track or the last tune Marionettes, all arrangements are more then excellent, complicated prog metal with a lot to offer to the listner. All in all, a very good this second release that probably will please every prog metal fan, the album got lots of excellent reviews an aplauses world wide. Fans of Dream Theater, Symphony X, Soul Secret, Vanden Plas or those who like a more complex with great guitars, keyboards and all kind of Progressive Metal should check this band. Easy 4 stars, great art work.

This is a 3.5 review for me but definitely a 4 star for every dedicated progressive metal fan.

Until Rain hails from Thessaloniki city, which is the second greek city in population but holds the first place for decades now in giving birth to good metal/rock bands. Formed in 2004, this is the band's second album after 2009's ''The reign of dreams'' but it was the ''Pandemic'' ep, released in 2012, which mostly set the ground for this one. ''Anthem to Creation'' is the first U.R release that really meets high quality standards and places the band amongst the hottest new names of today's prog metal.

The band's style is basically modern sounding power metal that uses many technical progressive elements to add depth and richness at their compositions. Recorded by Jens Bogren at Sweden's Fascination Street studios, the American-style, in your face production firstly brings forth the massive, bigger than life guitar work of Theodore Amaxopoulos, who is an excellent shredder. It's very interesting that his riffs seem to be influenced by three different metal generations: there are many classic 80's Metallica-like riffs, 90's prog riffs in the veins of Dream Theater/Conception/Symphony X and some thrashier, more aggressive parts, in the path that bands like Nevermore firstly tread. Yannis Papadopoulos' vocals are crystal and powerful, reminding me very much of Conception's Roy Khan at several moments, while the rhythm section is very technical, precise and always pounding. To my ears, Lefteris Germenlis plays a very important role at their sound, providing the extra pinch of salt that spices things up a bit. His inspirational symphonic keyboard contribution is mainly responsible for the progressive side of U.R.

The first songs of the album are very dynamic, giving the impression that it's all about power metal. The progressive ideas unravel slowly in the record's second half. There are three 10 minute long songs (''Empty Helmet'' deeply influenced by ''Disposable heroes'', the 2 parts of ''The clang of shields'' and ''Marionettes'') and the 18 minute long album title track, showing that the band flirts with epic, grandiose compositions, lyrically and musically, aiming to a more cinematic result . Obviously, the songs have been worked to the last detail, they are wonderfully performed and arranged but, still, at times I felt that the band has not yet clearly decided which is the path to follow, if there is only one. For best songs I would choose: the opening ''Brain death'', which is a great fists-in-the-air, sing-along kind of dynamite, the very melodic and commercial ''My own blood'' (featuring an amazing bass line at the verse which I really enjoy) and the pure prog moments of the album, the beautiful ''The clang of shields part II'' and the haunting tune of ''Marionettes'' which ends the album in a very sophisticated way.

I have to mention some cons, too. I really believe that there should be room for wider range of dynamics and maybe some improvisation. The songs are perfectly structured but nothing sounds spontaneous and I'd love to feel them breathe deeper. For me, Until Rain proved that they can compete at the highest level. In the next album, I'll wait to see them build a more personal and specific sound.

''Anthem to creation'' is probably one of the 4-5 best 2013 releases of its genre. Its 78 minutes will present you to a new, passionate band that obviously works very hard to build a good name. It will be very interesting to see how they will evolve in the future. My hope and wish is that they won't follow the safe path to success but that difficult one, that of genuine artistic creativity. In the meantime, ''Anthem to creation'' awaits to be discovered and enjoyed!