By: Anders

Posted: Aug 4, 2006

Greek Wastefall has been on the lips of many progressive metal fans the last couple of years, though this is my first encounter with them, even though it is the band's third album. Their third album within 3 years, quite impressive if all 3 albums have the same high level that is.

Well, the above question, I can't really answer that, to the reason already given earlier. Though this album's level is quite high. The level of intensity is up there, ranking among much more energetic genres than progressive metal, the intensity equals that of pure-bred thrash metal or straight ahead power metal, and well, there are a good deal of both genres in the mix here, so not that strange. The technical side of the music is quite intense as well, the musicians in the band really know how to use their instruments, they excel on most aspects, and fans of technical show off, will get their thirst quenched with this album.

Composition-wise the album is pretty good as well, we are getting some good adventures into the progressive and at times very technical world of metal. And even a small detour to an atmospheric rock track with 'Sleepwalk', which seems kinda odd compared to most of the material on this album. Though once in a while it all becomes to complex and compressed, both due to all the things going on in the music, though also due to the quite compressed production of the album. It is like the instruments need some more room to play on, the centre of the sound picture becomes crowded very fast, and it is hard to focus on any of the instruments, as they all tend to blur together, with the layered vocals on top.

The album as such is very good, good vocals, killer musicianship and compositions way above. With all that in mind, it is quite a shame with the compressed sound, which makes this album quite hard to listen to. Some songs are presented better than others, one of the ones that kept demanding my attention is the vividly 'Utopia Fragmented', nice song writing and a well performed progressive song. This is intense and modern progressive metal on a high level, but certainly not an album all can get into, it demands quite a few listens before it opens up, and even after that, it is quite tough to listen to, give it a try and see what your ears tell you!

Rating: 7½/10

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