NOVEMBER RED

If the name Dante brings to mind a bombastic power metal band like Symphony X or Rhapsody (of Fire), that would be like judging a book by its cover. These Germans do write 10-minute catchy heavy songs with several lead motifs, having evidently been listening to a lot of Dream Theater, but the overall sound is more akin to a 70's groovy hard rock band that likes to jam and occasionally settles down with a piano. Further adding to this impression is the gritty production, retro-sounding keys and gruff-toned vocals. That great modern prog scourge hasn't passed them by, though - the spoken word samples inserted into middle of songs.