All We Expected & Raum Kingdom - Split EP (CD Review)

01.All We Expected - We're Not Born to Live Like Brutes
02.All We Expected - Flood
03.Raum Kingdom - Grace
04.Raum Kingdom - Lost in the Hunt


ALL WE EXPECTED
Guillian Maertens (Guitar/Vocals)
Tijl Tytgat (Guitar)
Martijn Salomez (Bass)
Artuur Bruwier (Drums)

All We Expected have been creating music since 2012 and started performing live later in 2013, from belgium Driven by intense emotions and raw energy, All We Expected brings forth a fierce mix of dark atmospheres, melodic basslines and pounding drums.

For information on Raum Kingdom see previous post  RAUM KINGDOM

Was not expecting that! Both of All we Expected tracks are really long songs, mainly instrumentals (well i cant hear much in the way of vocals), they are sort of doom influenced but with a neo prog delivery, in some ways the guitar style reminds me of Muse and even Radiohead, but not as poppy or depressive as either of those bands.

As for Raum Kingdom, not much to add here in terms of general praise for this band whose self titled EP (see link above) was outstanding.
Each song is ten minutes in duration and has the same doom/grunge vibe as everything else i have heard by them, full of melody and interesting timing changes.

Rating 9/10
For fans Of: Isis, Muse, Tool, Deftones

Pyogenesis - A Century In The Curse Of Time (CD Review)

01.Steam Paves Its Way (The Machine)
02.A Love Once New Has Now Grown Old
03.This Won't Last Forever
04.The Best Is Yet to Come
05.Lifeless
06.The Swan King
07.Flesh And Hair
08.A Century In The Curse Of Time


Flo Schwarz (Guitar/Vocals/Keyboards)
Malte Brauer (Bass)
Olman Viper (Drums)
Tim 'Asmodeus' Eiermann (Guitar/Vocals)

From Germany, often listed as one of the early originators of gothic/doom rock.
Originally the band was a trio of Tim Eiermann, Joe Proell and Pit Muley, called Immortal Hate. They did a four track demo in 1990 called "Pyoginesis on a Festered Corpse".

A very complicated history that has seen them release some high quality albums and EP's, yet various band members kept doing other bands/side project such the Death/Grind band G.U.T.
Also alt rock and punk, the alt rock band 'Liquido' becoming quite successful.
After a long period of inactivity, the band announced an anniversery comeback in 2014.

Now taking an intresting idea of steampunk themes and creating a concept album is about the change of 19th century's society under the influence of industrialization, steam-engine, emerging bourgeoisie and science fiction literature such as Jules Verne.

Have to say the opening track 'Steam Paves Its Way (The Machine)' which has also been used as the first "single" from the album, complete with video, is far from the best track, its fairly generic mix of metalcore/melodic death metal, though the chorus does shine through.

Moving into a different sound comes 'A Love Once New Has Now Grown Old', a technical/speed metal workout with a very agressive vocal. Totally drum driven this song powers along and they throw in so much in the way of guitar playing and melody, forever changing tempo to create a much fuller song.

You can really start to get the measure of how this album is building up (to something big?) as 'This Won't Last Forever' is a six minute near prog metal exercise in precision playing, clever lyrics clearly sung and a very easy on the ear style.


Great symphonic intro to 'The Best Is Yet to Come', another anthemic/ neo prog piece.
Slow pounding rhythms with a fantastic backing chorus, again great vocals and the concept has now come to life and the music just gets better and better.
Love the slow bassline breakdown with acoustic guitar and sound f/x, really well put together song.

stunning keyboard intro into some epic guitar palying and 'Lifeless' is far from what the title suggests. This is another melodic neo prog monster, the quality of the music is at the top of its game, great vocals and some nice effects as well.

This song 'The Swan King' somewhat mirrors the sound of the first track, fairly generic again, however do i detect a riff from 'Message in a Bottle' in this one?
More anthemic prog with 'Flesh And Hair', has a very early 80's keyboard sound like "Asia", great sing a long backing vocal, also detected a female vocal on this one, but have no idea who it is, as no mention in promo stuff from record company.

Finally, now remember a few songs back i felt that this album was building up to something, well 'A Century In The Curse Of Time' is that "Something".
No less than 14 epic minutes, starting with violin and acoustic guitar and more stunning harmony vocals, this turns into a melodic neo prog masterpiece, it never veers into the heavy metal genre, staying true to its start it remains a clever mainstream symphony of harmony.

Rating 10/10
For fans of: Asia, Yes, Solstice Coil, Valerian Swing, Marillion

Moanaa - Descent (CD Review)

01.Sunset Growing Old
02.Repulsive
03.Lit
04.Zero
05.Lost In The Noise
06.Ion ...
07.... Mill
08.Away                          

Lukasz 'cHooDy' Kursa (Guitar)
Michal Pilik (Guitar)
Damian 'Cichy' Olearczyk (Bass)
Marcel Lekawa (Drums)
Maciej Proficz (Vocals)
K-vass (Vocals)

Polish post metal/doom styled band, formed around 2008.

If 'Sunset Growing Old' is going to set the standard, then this is going to be one helluva album.Nice acoustic start then moves into prog/jazz style, laid back and rhythmic almost hypnotic, then turns into a screaming death metal monster, did not expect that and yes there is a hint of doom metal as well before almost sounding like an old Pink Floyd track and then some neo prog to end with, all that in just 7 minutes!

Next track 'Repulsive' sticks to doom inspired slow and sludgy death metal, 'Lit' almost does the same until that jazz/prog guitar and rhythmic drum pattern comes back in for a while before taking the volume down with a simple guitar riff, as this builds towards the end some great vocals and backing vocals mix with more agressive instrumentation.

'Zero' returns to the neo-prog style with melodic vocals, but as i have come to expect with this, the pace and style changes bringing in that death metal vocal over near metalcore riffs.

'Lost In The Noize' at 9 minutes is a fairly straight forward doomish death metal piece, not much in the way of style variations, though does have a few intresting little breaks here and there.

'Ion' and 'Mill' is one song broken into two seperate tracks, why im not sure the first serves as the intro and continues right through to the next piece, which is another great mix of death metal followed by neo-prog rhythms.

Finally 'Away' starts with lots of echo guitar effects soon joined by a basic drum beat and downbeat vocals, while the guitar brings a little power to the piece this is a borderline gothic/doom song and its 4 seconds shy of an amazing 10 minutes!

Rating 9/10
For fans Of: Valerian Swing, Words Of Farewell, Marillion, King Crimson

Solstice Coil - Commute (CD Review)

01.New Eyes
02.Forget You Ever Saw Us
03.Shuffle The Cards
04.Her Silent Silhouette
05.Anywhere
06.The Bargain
07.Acid Bath
08.Meltdown
09.An Oldie (But Your Kids are Gonna Love it)
10.Nowhere

Shir Deutch (Vocals/Guitar)
Opher Vishnia (Guitar/Vocals)
Shai Yallin (Keyboards/Vocals)
Mihael Galperin (Bass)
Yakir Fitousi (Drums)

Founded in late 2001, Solstice Coil are one of the most veteran bands currently operating in Israel’s progressive rock and metal scene. Dedicated to the notion of combining intellectually challenging music with reflective lyrics and high production values, the band draws its influence from artists such as Radiohead and Dream Theater.

The band's debut album, 'A Prescription for Paper Cuts' (2005), was well received by the global progressive rock community.
In 2011 they released their sophomore album, 'Natural Causes', under US-based label Melodic Revolution Records. Natural Causes fared well with the critics, receiving dozens of favorable reviews that cited it as a formidable follow-up to the band's debut album.

In 2012 the band embarked on its first tour of India, playing various festivals including the NH7 alongside Megadeth.
After returning from India, the band commenced work on developing songs for its third album, where they take a stab at the epic while mixing classic progressive rock influences with heavy metal tendencies and even some elements of electronic music. Titled 'Commute'it is the first studio album to feature bassist Mihael Galperin and drummer Yakir Fitousi.

So 'New Eyes' is an intersting mix of styles, on the one hand it has that Industrial/Goth sound of Static X, but then it's Neo-Prog section id more aking to Marillion or Muse, very rhythmic and jazzy at times and a guitar sound that i could imagine Carlos Santana producing.

More Industrial meets electro this time for the keyboard driven 'Forget You Ever Saw Us', again an intresting mix of influences and styles are utilised to create their overall modern neo-prog sound.

At times 'Shuffle The Cards displays prog/folk elements, overall though it does stick with 80's prog style, however the high pitched keyboard sound does not reach my ears in a good way, no such problems with 'Her Silent Silhouette' which is by far the best track so far, its classic modern prog, strong vocals backed with clever rhythms and timing chnages and a great keyboard solo.

'Anywhere' is a nice spanish acoustic guitar instrumental, but it doesn't seem to go "Anywhere" and maybe could have done with a second take as there are a few too many squeaks on the strings, it does however lead into another great song 'The Bargain' with its eastern influence this harkens back to late 70's prog, reminiscent of Pavlov's Dog, especially with the guitar and piano sound and the vocal delivery.

Were it not for the techno drum beats at the start you could be forgiven for thinking that this may turn into 'Enter Sandman' such is the style of the guitar riff, overall this song has a darker edge and while the vocal and composition could be 80's 'Yes' there is a definate heavy metal feel to this.

After the last song, this one 'Meltdown' just brings the whole thing down, a very slow moving downbeat song, guess this is where their Radiohead influence comes in.

Okay so 'An Oldie' just sounds like the middle section of an old Hawkwind song circa 1975, solid drum beat and keyboards, nice, but what was the point of it?

Finally 'Nowhere', this one pulls back any doubts of their ability, has it all great vocals, heavy bits, slow bits, nice keyboards, various guitar sounds, ends the album on a high!

Rating 8/10
For Fans of: King Crimson, Valerian Swing, Moanaa, Marillion, Yes

Valerian Swing - A U R O R A (CD Review)

01.3 Juno
02.Cancer Minor
03.Scilla
04.Cariddi
05.In Vacume
06.Spazio
07.Parsec
08.Calar Alto


Steve (Guitar/Vocals)
David (Drums)
Alan (Bass)

VALERIAN SWING are three Italian lunatics playing mathy, violent, anthemic, and largely-instrumental songs that are concise and to the point.
In the last few years they have toured multiple countries, honing an extraordinarily dynamic, frenetic, and highly musical brand of sonic madness to a signature level that is uniquely its own.

Having recorded their previous album A Sailor Lost Around The Earth with Matt Bayles (Mastodon, Isis, Botch, Russian Circles) at Red Room in Seattle, WA, the trio invited the legendary producer to their home town to record the follow up.

The resulting album A U R O R A, picks up where A Sailor Lost… left off, but, according to Bayles “with more mood, more melodic crescendos and more vocals.”. The band and producer set up camp at Igloo Audio Factory in Correggio to record the eight track album, before Bayles returned to Red Room to mix.

Following the release of A Sailor Lost… Valerian Swing took off around the earth themselves, taking in both Europe and America, with a stop at SXSW, and playing shows with Russian Circles, Boris, and This Town Needs Guns among others. A full European tour is in the works for late 2014 in support of A U R O R A, where the band will showcase their unique genre-defying sounds, electrifyingly translated into the live arena.

The opening piece '3 Juno' seems to start off as fairly straight forward post rock, but then turns a bit weirder and faster with some high pitched guitar playing.

Pretty much stays that way until 'Cariddi' a sort of post rock/doom hybrid, nice solid drumming and some good use of feedback guitar over slow drum beat.
Second half of the song moves into prog/jazz style, yep another weird song!

Whilst listening to 'Spazio' it struck me that this stuff kind of reminds me of 70's proggers 'Yes' but with a modern twist.

Then a track like 'Calar Alto' with its quiet ambience could be something by Goblin.

Rating 7/10
For fans of: Yes, Goblin, Tacoma Narrow Bridge Disaster, Radiohead, King Crimson

Mono - The Last Dawn & Rays Of Darkness (CD Reviews)

The Last Dawn
01.Land Between Tides Glory
02.Kanata
03.Cyclone
04.Elysian Castles
05.Where We Begin
06.The Last Dawn

Rays Of Darkness
01.Recoil Ignite
02.Surrender
03.The Hnads That Holds The Truth
04.The Last Rays

Takaakira "Taka" Goto (Guitar)
Tamaki (Bass/Piano)
Yoda (Guitar)
Yasunori Takada (Drums)

Guest Vocals
Tetsu Fukagawa

When tokyo band MONO began in 1999, they set out with a simple mission: From bliss to bludgeon, no matter how long or winding the path may be. Their debut album, Under The Pipal Tree, outlined that mission in twisted, psychedelic fury. Subsequent albums would see the band honing their craft, mastering their mission, and ultimately abandoning that path in favor of more grandiose pursuits. Flanked by increasingly larger orchestras, MONO performed live at some of the most prestigious venues in New York City, London, Tokyo, and Australia. MONO had become an orchestral rock band, a spectacle of extreme melancholy and melodrama. On 2012's For My Parents, the band had finally reached the logical conclusion of that era; it was time to remember where they started, and to rethink where they were heading. Less strings? No strings? Louder? Quieter? Lighter? Darker? Yes.

They have released two albums at the same time, the reason being that it is meant to be a creatively disparate concept acting as two sides of a story that is both opposing and complemantary - at the same time!

On Rays Of Darkness Tetsu Fukagawa of Envy has the honour of being the first person to contribute vocals to a Mono recording.

So lets start with part one:
To be honest not a lot to say about this, just six really nice laid back instrumentals with occasional bursts of heavy electric guitar.

As for part two, well 'Recoil Ignite' certainly has more life in it, heavy guitar and jazzy drumming for the second half of the 13 minutes and some inspired neo prog timing changes.

'The Hands That Holds The Truth' is definately a song of two halves, first half very quiet almost too quiet but then the second half, complete with death metal vocals' is an absolute stunner!

Finally 'The Last Rays' with its sludge/doom guitar noise for 6 minutes, is one for those with a lve of the avante garde noise scene.

So for me anyway the first album is okay but does little to stand out, however the second album with all its different elements and sounds is a must have!

Rating 6/10 and 9/10
For fans of: Brainticket, Isis, Sunn 0))), Phillip Glass, Sci'enta Dystene

Amaze Knight - The Key (CD Review)

01.Imprisoned (Shadows Past)
02.Restless Soul
03.Heartless
04.Liberation (The Reflection)
05.Liberation (A New Day)

Fabrizio Aseglio (Vocals)
Christian Dimasi (Guitar/Vocals)
Davide Gemello (Keyboards)
Nicolò Vese (Bass)
Michele Scotti (Drums)

Special Session Member: Max Tempia (Keyboard)

Amaze Knight formed in November 2010 in Turin, when Christian and Michele met, they both had a big passion for music and the strong will to create and experiment with it, without any preconception.

Once the rest of the band were found they began composing their first songs, with the main aim of touching the listener and taking him to a world where melody and aggression find a balance and a meeting point.

In collaboration with Sound Engineer and Producer Roberto Maccagno they set out to record a concept album describing emotions, experiences and considerations through a common story which bounds one song to the other, with a varied and unpredictable sound caused by the many different musical influence each member of the band brings.

'Imprisoned (Shadows Past)' takes a couple of minutes to get going, but when it kicks in it comes to life, full of swirling keyboards, anthemic riffs and a strong vocal performance.This first track is 10 minutes long so there are plenty of timing changes at one point bringing back memories of bands like Atomic Rooster.

Nice Acoustic opening to 'Restless Soul' leads to a mellow song, almost bordering on 'AOR' style american rock, again this one has a change half way through with some excellent guitarwork backed by a solid drumbeat.

Unfortunatly 'Heartless' is a slow melodic ballad, its "Nice" but doesn't seem to go anywhere, if it was a straight ambient piece that would have worked better but the attempts and guitar solos dont fit right.

The opening keyboard work on 'Liberation (The Reflection)' almost sounds like a flute creates a nice mood then some amazing synth playing heralds the rest of the band in.
This one builds and builds, throwing in twiddling little solos here and there, and some fast drumming towards the end giving it that Neo-Prog edge.

'Liberation (A New Day)' starts with a traditional piano piece to make Beethoven proud, when the vocals come in it just adds to the atmosphere and the guitar solo would make Steve Hillage proud.

This is a great album, very much old school Prog, think ELP, Atomic Rooster, Yes in essence yet with a good Neo-Prog standing as well, again think IQ, Marillion.


Rating 9/10
For fans of: Purson, Asia, Dream Theater, Claudio Simonetti

FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/AmazeKnight

FROM GREAT HEIGHT - FGH EP (Free Cd download)

ADAM EVER (VOCALS/SYNTH)

PAUL LIESE (BASS)
GARY BOAST (DRUMS)

MICHAEL ALP (GUITAR)

01.The Messenger

02.From A Great Height

03.The Lie Of The Land

04.Initial

05.Split Seconds


From Great Height are a four-piece band hailing from Enfield, North London.

Formed In the summer of 2007 with the goal to create a distinctive, yet familiar style of rock music.
Drawing influence from the heavier, more progressive bands of the 70's, the epic synth sounds from the early 80s and contemporary songwriting styles.The results are a dynamic and melodic sound.

The band soon began to play live and their enthusiasm to share with an audience started to win them fans from both indie and heavy metal shows.

In 2008 they recorded their first single ‘Split Seconds/Initial’, upon its release it was the second track ‘initial’ that began to get them attention both here in the UK, one review stated “You really need to hear this to experience just how good this is”, and in the USA it was added to the playlist of 'Class X Radio' In Cincinnati, Ohio.

2009 has so far seen them increase their fanbase; gain higher profile gig’s including the support for American group ‘harptallica’ for their London show and the release of a five track ep titled ‘fgh’.

Currently, the aim for From Great Height is to continue to play as many gigs as possible to help push their music further.
They relish the opportunity to play live, in any venue, any shape or size and with any genre of other bands.

Website: www.fromgreatheight.com

Additional information please contact : fromgreatheight@hotmail.co.uk

Video website: http://www.youtube.com/user/fromgreatheight

DOWNLOAD THE EP HERE : http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IMYVAP97