CLOCKWORK - SURFACE TENSION - 1999

Five-piece set from Philadelphia who play a combination of symphonic prog and complex technical metal - for references, think a mixture of YES and DREAM THEATER. Their material features lush keyboards that provide the backdrop for dual lead guitars, layered vocals and a tight rhythm section. The musicianship is excellent and the vocals somewhat high pitched, but not shrill. Unfortunately, they disbanded after the release of their only album in 1999.

"Surface Tension" is a mixed bag of goodies. The heavy guitars and the complex structures make for some interesting musical moments. The way these guys can transcend styles and manage to balance an even dose of symphonic rock with ethnic fusion and metal throughout is admirable. However, they have packed so many influences into each piece that the whole thing sounds rather disjointed; consequently, the listener finds it hard to get into the music or to focus on any one style. This being said, CLOCKWORK are very talented musicians whose album provides some highly luxurious moments and beautiful melodic passages. Certainly not to be overlooked.

Should appeal to fans of DREAM THEATER and SHADOW GALLERY.


CLOCKWORK were a Prog-Metal band from the USA who released only one album back in 1999 before breaking up.Two lead guitarists and a great singer make this album a pleasing listen.They thank Sean Malone,Michael Romeo and SYMPHONY X,SHADOW GALLERY, Daniel Gildenlow and PAIN OF SALVATION among others.I was reminded of ENCHANT and FATES WARNING the most while listening to this recording. "Secrets Of Centuries" opens with piano,flute and some strings.It kicks in before a minute.What an amzing sound! It settles again.Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes.It kicks back in as contrasts continue.The guitar just soars before 6 minutes and i like the synths that follow. "One Wing" might be my favourite.The vocals on this one really remind me of John Arch.A nice heavy rhythm as these passionate vocals come in.Great riffs follow.Love the vocal melodies too.Some incredible guitar before 5 minutes. "East Of Knowing" has this Spanish flavour throughout.I like the drums and percussion after a minute. "If These Walls Could Talk" is back to the heaviness.Vocals a minute in.Lots of excellent guitar too.We get a pastoral break of flute and acoustic guitar before it kicks back in. "The Guardian Of Eden" is a little too eratic for my tastes, it's all over the place.It's impressive though.The guitar is fantstic 5 1/2 minutes in. "The Convolution Box" has this nice heavy soundscape.I like the guitar after 2 1/2 minutes.It settles with a Spanish flavour before 4 minutes before kicking back in.Nice bass 5 minutes in.The drumming really shines on this instrumental.A top three track. "Smile Under Sad Eyes" is a mid paced tune that's all about the lyrics.Some flute in this one and tasteful guitar after 3 minutes. "Design Of Enlightenment" is the almost 13 minute closer.Orchestral sounds before it kicks in heavily with synths.Vocals follow.Spoken female words 2 minutes in.The guitar is grinding away with vocals which is very FATES-like.Some intricate guitar work before 6 minutes.Heaviness comes back before 7 1/2 minutes.Great vocals follow. I really wish they had been a little more one dimensional and kept it heavier, but there's too much here to give it less than 4 stars.
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