WORLD OF SILENCE - MINDSCAPE - 1998

This is one of those talented bands that for some reason, don't get much recognition outside of Europe. I didn't know of too many people from the USA that even knew aboutthis band, much less own their last CD called Window of Heaven.

Briefly, to summarize their last disc, when I first heard Window of Heaven, I knew I was going to dig this one totally. The first 3-4 songs were very heavy, crunchy, melodic prog metal with a lot of keys. The singer was very good as well, up until the midway point of the disc where he started growling unnaturally, and I couldn't figure out why a guy with a voice this pleasant would resort to that. I guess I wasn't the only one havingthat problem, as I read reviews, and other opinions that stated the same. So, the disc pretty much goes unnoticed, although I know it still would appeal to lots of people who are into melodic prog metal.

Into the picture, enters their new disc, Mindscapes, a disc that was very hard tofind, and I imagine still will be in the USA. Awhile ago, the singer had written to me and told me about the new disc, and that I would probably dig the new material, and that he wouldn't be growling at all. Well, he made good on his promise, because there is onlyone place on the disc where the vocals get distorted and growly, and it's only a brief moment. I think he did that just for me ..... :O)

THE STYLE:

This is a 6-song, 43-minute disc. I must say that I was expecting a continuation of Window of Heaven, but this is pretty much nothing like that disc. Bottom line this timeout, what would happen if you crossed Neo-Progressive music with Progressive Metal music ? This disc is the answer. An interesting deviation from their last disc, which was quite heavy and crunchy at times, this one tends to be much more laid back, atmospheric, dreamy, and the keyboards take center stage in creating that Neo-Prog feeling that remains throughout the disc. Yes, the guitars are present, but not in that crunchy, punchystyle.

This time, all of the instruments are combining to make the total sound, but it's evident that the band wanted to tone it down a bit, and concentrate on the beauty aspect of the disc rather than the power aspect. I know lots of people compared this band to Dream Theater last time out, and maybe they heard, because this is nothing like DT. What is progressive anyway, right ? Along with the style, comes the attitude and ability to change with each disc. Well, here you have a perfect example of that attitude. It may not be to the liking of everyone who was expecting a crunchy, thunderous sound from these guys, but they went for a different approach, and they succeeded. Pure power / prog fans, metal fans in general may find this disc a bit too light, for those who don't mind itlaid back, with a Neo-Prog feel, and lots of keyboards, this one should fit the bill. Themusic is VERY progressive, pretty much changing styles throughout each song so that you feel you're getting 2-3 songs within each song, which average about 7-8 minutes in length each. The crunchy parts remind me of that famous Mayadome crunch, and the Neo-Prog sounds remind of any number of bands from that genre with that dreamy, atmospheric sound that drives that genre.

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