DIAL - SYNCHRONIZED - 2007

I am very confident that more than 90% of you know Kristoffer Gildenlöw and his previous band. So it's time to know about the new band that he takes part in, Dial. Dial has started in 2003, long before Kristoffer's departure from Pain of Salvation, by Kristoffer, Liselotte Hegt and Rommert van der Meer. This assembly is strange by nature and the outcome is definitely interesting. If you add Devon Graves (ex-Psychotic Waltz, Deadsoul Tribe), as producer of "Synchronized" and guest musician, and Dirk Bruinenberg (Patrick Rondat, Elegy, Consortium Project and many more) then their debut album is by default a very challenging release.

Dial are standing at the point where progressive rock meets the sensitive side of pop music. This means that the album is not so rock as you might think or progressive as you might expected, due to Kristoffer's background. "Synchronized" is very melodic and atmospheric, while it borrows elements from trip-hop, industrial and new wave. This multifaceted construction gives to "Synchronized" numerous of references, from Porcupine Tree to Gathering and Kate Bush. It has some very strong moments, like "Childhood Dreams", "Points of View" and "Wish It Away" (with Devon Graves), but also has some weak moments, like "Candyland" or "Wounded". The final result is imbalanced and sometimes the band seems to be unfair to itself. I fully understand that bands, like Dial, are a first chance vehicle for creativity and expression for musicians of Kristoffer's calibre, but sometimes the gathering of such many different genres doesn't work so well.

Although I have my reservations about Kristoffer's performance at the lead vocals in a few tracks, he managed to smash them in songs like "Sadness", where he shows that the talent is a family issue. The production could be better, especially at the guitars, but the final result is quite good. In conclusion, "Synchronized" is an interesting release, though not so exciting. I think however that the friends of progressive and atmospheric rock will appreciate it and will give it a chance without regretting their choice.
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