ANAMNESIS - LETTER IN A BOTTLE

For this particular offering, see inspiration from Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and Dream Theater's "Metropolis: Scenes from a Memory Pt2". Two of the big daddies of the theme.

Austrian band SoundDiary here take us through a Five Act journey, each with six tracks, a lengthy list of 30 but probably best to regard this as five roughly 15 minute suites.

The concept is loosely a metaphorical journey from birth to death, intertwined with memories of a past life (Dream Theater anyone?). I often get lost in the complexity and symbolism of concept albums, but the 'glass prison' of track 1 is a recurring theme, and perhaps due to some of the band members singing in a second language, the lyrics are relatively simple so its definitely accessible.

I'm not going to do a detailed breakdown of the plot, its worth listening to without knowing that, but it is pretty much the staple scene-setter, bombshell, truth reveal, hubris, conclusion-but-at-what-cost of many concepts. The musical composition itself is very well put together, guest vocalists complement it very well harmony-wise, but the lyrics themselves are a little bit clunky. Its certainly worth an hour or so to sit down and concentrate on but a fairly middling album for me.