SACRED PATHWAYS

One of my favorite prog metal albums ever. The virtuosity of Vitalij Kuprij is unmatched. Every single musician in this band is amazing at what they do. And what can I say about the vocals? Amazing as well. This album is for any fan of progressive metal,prog, or music in general. Get it, now!

3.5 realy

Fifth studio album of Artension proves that they are still in business and quite well. On this album is the same line-up like on Phonex rising, the one from previos album was a little diffrent, there was another drumer in stad of Terrana. Another well and good example of how must sound a prog metal album with a good doze of neo classical elements. Taken their influences from bands and musicians like Yngwie Malmsteen, Rainbow or Deep Purple in places, Artension manages to creat something not necesary over the top, but for sure pleasent and with catchy pieces. Every musician involved here has his own manner of aptoaching the instrument, so the resoult is a good album with excellent keys arrangements, great guitar solos and an outstanding voice of Mr. West as always. Every single piece frim Sacred pathway is a pleasure to listen, all have same level, so not one is more in front. The album desearves 3 stars for sure from my side , but as a whole is less intristing than Phoenix rising. If you like bands mentioned above and aswell like prog metal, give this band a try they worth it. 3 stars, good but non essential.

They released their first album in 1996 but Artension have only recently started working with each other again. The press release describes this as 'Neoclassical Progressive Metal', and that is probably quite a fair description. The music is based very much around the keyboards of Vitalij Kuprij who in fact met guitarist Roger Steffalbach when he travelled to Switzerland to further his studies on piano (as well as playing in other rock bands such as Ring Of Fire he has also recorded a solo classical CD).

Vitalij writes all of the music and loves nothing better than to show off his speed and dexterity, sometimes to the detriment to the music as a whole. But when it works, such as on "The Emperor", it can be awesome (possibly as this is one of the tracks where Roger also lets rip). John West (Royal Hunt) provides all of the vocals but the feeling for much of the album is that although it has many good points, and some quite brilliant, overall the band could do with a few more tunes and less of the posturing. Not an album to totally dismiss, and one that I will play again, but bands like Stratovarius are more consistent to my ears.

Originally appeared in Feedback #66, Feb 03

Led by keyboard maestro Vitalij Kuprij (Ring of Fire, Trans-Siberian Orchestra), singer extraordinaire John West (Royal Hunt) and guitar wizard Roger Staffelbach, prog/neoclassical metal band Artension have been churning out album after album since their inception, Sacred Pathways being their 5th in only 7 years since their 1996 debut. For the occasion, the band is completed by the same formidable rhythmic section (Mike Terrana / drums; Kevin Chown / bass) that had played on Artension's first two records and had then left after that. With such a technically proficient line-up, the quality of the playing is not under discussion ? but the real question is whether the songwriting is up to par, after Artension's previous record Machine had disappointed more than a few fans.

Fortunately, the US-based combo seem to have found their mojo again. Sacred Pathways features an impressive array of textbook neoclassical metal tunes, rhythmically tight, sublimely melodic and running at speed-of-light tempos. The inspiration of Baroque and classical music is evident throughout the record, in the construction of the vocal melodies, in Kuprij's and Staffelbach's ornamented solos, as well as in the use of contrapuntal harmonies. Personally, I prefer the more original mixture of hard rock, prog and neoclassical metal that Artension pursued at the beginning of their career. But I have to admit that the band's take on the neoclassical metal style is very well-done and convincing here.

Songs like "Your Victory" and "The Emperor" rip and shred like anything ever composed by His Neoclassical Majesty Yngwie Malmsteen, and then some more (listen to the slapped bass groove on "Your Victory"). Meanwhile, "Running out of Time", "Sacred Pathways" and "Nightmare" are more melodic affairs that remind me of bands like Royal Hunt and allow John West to showcase all his talent, illustrating why he was such a sought-after vocalist at the time. His voice is clean and trained, and yet rich in resonance thanks to his powerful vibrato and soulful, husky tone. Also enjoyable are the obligatory ballad "The Calm before the Storm" and the brisk instrumental "March to Ruin" where Kuprij fully unleashes his compositional and playing skills.

The album contains a handful of duller moments, from the anonymous hard rock filler "The Killing" to the odd, Queenesque piano ballad "Flower of the Orient" that closes the record awkwardly. The album's main drawback, however, is its production. This is a problem that has afflicted several Artension's releases. There are several issues. The drum sound is pretty terrible, too dry and compressed. It constantly drowns out the guitar, whose sound is also poor and thin. Even the keyboards do not sound great, which is surprising considering the prominent role they play for Artension. The mix is also poor and at times it is really hard to follow the harmonic structure of the songs, because all one can hear are Terrana's busy drumwork and John West's vocals ("The Emperor").

Despite these shortcomings that in part do ruin the listening experience, Sacred Pathways is a solid album, thanks to its inspired songwriting and the excellent playing of all musicians involved. It is a considerable step up relative to Artension's previous record, Machine, and although it is not at the levels of the band's first two albums, it is up there with the best work by neoclassical metal artists.