Unseen
Nuclear Blast
It's great to see bands from Los Angeles such as Steel Prophet making such a strong impact in Europe, especially considering how the band has struggled, playing the LA circuit since the mid-'80s. The problem with "Unseen" (their sixth album, I believe their fourth for NBA) is the sterile, powerless production. The guitars are so thin sounding (reminiscent of modern Riot) and it just overall lacks in energy and power, which is surprising considering the CD was produced by Joe Floyd (Warrior) whose work is usually exceptional. Founding guitarist Steve Kachinsky provides some stellar leads throughout, but Rick Mythiasen's vocals sound thin and distilled. The songs are nothing extraordinary, but tracks like "One Way Out" and "Mirror, Mirror, Life After Life" do show promise. A band definitely worthy of your support, they've come along way and it's good to see they're keeping the faith. BN
SYMPHONY X
The Odyssey
InsideOut/SPV
Here's another band that has the right idea of combining progressive and power metal. Unlike some of the bands previous releases (The Odyssey is actually the bands sixth album), this CD fuses many modern metal elements within the bands intricate progressions and overtures. This is particularly displayed on the first three tracks; "Inferno (Unleash the Fire)," "Wicked," and "Incantations of the Apprentice."
Based in New Jersey, Symphony X are a part of the great new breed (their first CD came out in '95, so they're not really all that new) of American traditional-metal bands, alongside Silent Force, Jag Panzer and Iced Earth, who are finally getting the respect they deserve. Their symphonic metal style is quite similar to that of Germany's Blind Guardian (who they're currently touring with in the US), as heard on the 24-minute title track. The CD was produced (brilliantly, I might add!) by guitarist/founder Michael Romeo in his home studio and is highlighted by his blistering, intricate fret-work. The musicianship all around is superlative, heightened by incredibly powerful vocals and brilliant melodies that swirl around bone-crushing guitar riffs sounding like early Kansas meets Pantera.
Bands such as Symphony X give hope to the new breed of American metal. We can only hope this trend continues! BN
Shockwaves CD REVIEWS ISSUE 8 Page 16