SACRED PATHWAYS

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