LEMUR VOICE - DIVIDED - 1999

From the beginning i might say this is among the best prog metal albums. It's a shame is the last one for Lemur Voice, but with Divided they are here to stay forever in prog metal history. Very high technical skills, they know how to use the instruments, and the result is a 4 star album for me. The forte tracks are Solilocide and Universal roots. Similar bands, Shadow Gallery, Empty Tremor. Highly recommended for prog metal fans.
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Now this is a cool CD!!!! I first heard some of this on seismic radio and I knew I had to get the disk. Glad I did too....This is highly original progressive metal with plenty of variety, influences, atmosphere, and heaviness. This is another one of those that probably got overlooked by me due to a "melodic metal" or "dream theater" tag being applied to it as a referrence. Damn shame to as this really kicks mucho gluteus....The guitar tone is clear and provides the "crunch" I think all metal should have. The production is top notch allowing all the instruments (including vox) to breathe without one overshadowing the other. All to compositions are interesting and well written providing an excellent listen throughout the entire disk....Even the cover tune was done with an interesting twist. There are no negatives to this disk but I do have a question....A Micheal Jackson cover!?!?!?!? Yo....wazup wif dat homey??? Anyway, this is a progressive metal masterpiece in my opinion and belongs in every proggers collection. An instant classic!!!!!!
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I really don't know where to start with this album, This is metal perfection of the highest calibre. It all starts with Gregoor Van Der Loo's Totally amazing vocals on solilicide and things just keep getting better, songs like Universal Roots and All of Me follow and they are so passionate!! I have never had goosebumps like this before, Every song is played with tremendous passion and you can hear that in Gregoors remarkable performance. Childhood facade is the next song and my personal favourite Lemur track of all time, it's about Gregoors youth and It utterly oozes feeling. Then we go into the little heavier parvedian trust which is the perfect prelude to the wonderful When the cradle cries ( This is tears to the eyes stuff ) The vocals on this song are like walking through the gates of heaven ( This song is being played at my funeral ) and Marcel Coenens Solo gives me goosebumps every time i listen.

There is also a song which gregoor does ( very Sting Like ) in new yanini,a beautiful dreamy number. Then its on to the title track Divided, wow this song is amazing with an incredile sax solo that will get your hair standing on end. A cover of micheal Jacksons beat it follows, done with a jazz feel ( Awesome ) and finally on to the bass players ( Barend Tromp ) song sticks in space, A lovely ending to what is one of ( If not ) the greatest albums ever made. Lemur have created a style all of their own, no dream theater rip offs at all, in fact i can see other band trying to emulate Lemurs sound. I read a review not long ago saying that the death of Lemur was due to the vocals, He seriously was the only reviewer that said anything bad. Well i have to say that the reason this album is so perfect in every way is down to the vocal performance, I think he is the greatest vocalist i have ever heard!!, Oh well you cant please everyone. It's hard to stop praising this album enough so If you love great melodies with incredibe vocals, and amazing guitarwork then go and get a copy ASAP, I actually have 3!!!
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