Runaway Totem - Andromeda (1999)

Исполнитель: Runaway Totem
Альбом: Andromeda
Год выхода: 1999
Страна: Italy
Колличество дорожек: 5
Общее время звучания: 49:19 min
Жанр: Zeuhl Rock / Progressive Rock
Формат: Lossless / APE (cue + log)
Размер файла: 322 mb
Залит на: Narod.ru

Rather unusual offering from Italy this one, as upon first listen you could easily be forgiven for thinking this lot are French, given the Zeuhl inflected vocal stylings. The influential reference points are fairly self-evident i.e Crimson, Magma, an early Sabbath capable of counting higher than 4, VDGG, Gentle Giant, Arachnoid etc so what we have here is a dark slice of prog on the heavy guitar side of the fence. Having said all that, there are some very innovative textures employed on this record e.g when some saxes join in on the heavy riffing and some delightful use of dynamics throughout. Listen to the many short sections dominated by the symphonic keys, until the bombastic guitars kick in again. This technique helps to break up what could have been a rather samey and bludgeoning 50 minutes or so. Thankfully there is no tiresome widdley-widdley fret merchant here, which keeps the music from degenerating into prog metal. The keys never dominate but are used as a very effective counterweight against the main thrust of the guitars. The vocals have an incantatory flavor and are therefore mercifully free of the rather overwrought offerings heard on some other Italian prog. I guess that given these ingredients, Runaway Totem are in danger of falling between two stools i.e this may be considered too 'rawk' for the symphonic brigade but too 'out there' for the prog metal crowd ? Either way, they have achieved an original blend here which I personally find very stimulating and refreshing. Like most bands with at least something new to offer, they make Dream Theater sound like they were conceived while their parents were fully clothed.

So what does it sound like then ?

Tracks:
1. Kontakt. 13:02
2. Tempus Fugiens? 8:43
3. Runaway Totem. 8:47
4. Kadman Neso. 10:39
5. Andros Medomai. 8:08