By: Anders

Posted: Oct 3, 2005

Pantommind is a Bulgarian progressive metal band that has secured a deal with the Italian label Lucretia Records. The band recorded this album last year, and earlier this year it was ready for release. This is actually a quite interesting release, with some talented musicians and a really good singer, and on top of that a good sense for writing good songs.

The song writing is really good, the tracks are technical and the entrance is very progressive, but often is the flow kept and the momentum intact. Though it does break once in a while, as in the track 'Shade Of Fate', as in the middle section where the whole band show off, that kinda ruins the flow and good atmosphere, created from the beginning of the track, though the band manage to create the atmosphere again after the middle part. Though the general impression of the compositions is positive and the band gets to show all of their skills during the 50 minutes the album lasts.

There are many good parts, the guitar parts are pretty much as expected, there is the occasional good riff here and there, and a good lead once in a while. The drumming is tight and precise, a bit dry and not that interesting at times, though it keeps the rhythm and does deliver some good rhythm patterns. The bass is a part of the keeping the rhythm tight as well, though it has a bit more room for playing around. The keyboards are the most impressive part of this release. They are all over the place, often hidden right behind the guitars, but still present. Spheres of mysterious incantations and nice leads, a really good job by the keyboarder. The vocals delivered on this album are top notch, the singer has quite and impressive range, and his clean and emotional voice is great and very fitting to the music. Whenever the mood in the music changes, the vocals follows and adds another dimension towards perfection.

This album was a nice surprise on a cold and rainy autumn day. If the band keeps up the style the have shown with this album, and works a tad on the song writing and cooperation in between the instruments, they'll soon be in the progressive metal elite that is for sure. This album shows that they are quite a contender to belonging up there already. This is for sure an album one has to check out, if progressive metal is one of the favoured genres.

Rating: 7½/10

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