A fascinating crossroads inspired by classic-symphonic and modern remarks.
"Scars" is a concept album, imaginary journey on mostly instrumental coordinates, full of atmospheres and ambient suggestions (even gothic in "Into the Labyrinth"), between polyrhythmic incursions and moments of ecstatic breathing as in the delicate melodies of "Red Shadow " and "Waiting's four seasons". Variable, evocatively poetic expression.
I first compare V2 to Sylvan because they offer a similar mix of heavy, melodic, (sometimes aggressive) Prog that could interest music fans ranging from Marillion to Metallica. On a couple of songs they come near to doing a power ballad and in these instances Poor Genetic Material comes to my mind, in good part because lead singer Ernst Honingman's voice can be pretty close to the excellent Philip Grifiths'.Read the full review by Marc at proggnosis.com
High-octane Indonesian progressive ethno-jazz-rock-fusion of the highest caliber.Media/Samples
High energy metal/jazz/latin Fusion and progressive instrumental rock. No limits, no boxes, no confined ideas - just energetic, interesting and intelligent music & ultra talented musicians.Media/Samples
...the seven-track/37-minute outing .... effectively captures a live-feeling chemistry between them that only feeds into both the energy within songs like the organ-laced “Espelhos e Sombras” and the earlier slide-meets-cowbell rocking title-track themselves and the momentum they’re able to build between them. At the same time Necro don’t make a move that’s out of place either in instrumentation or in Lessa and Salvador‘s vocal arrangements — Diogo Oliveira also guests in righteous form on “Azul Profundo” and “Entropia” — neither do they come across at any point as overblown. It’s a difficult balance to strike, but likewise, their take on familiar boogie rock tenets is presented with an entirely clearheaded take, and the results should catch the ears of even those jaded with ’70s worship or who think there’s nowhere left to go with a shuffling groove but in the same circles over and again.
Undestroyed delivers a genre-damning assault of clarity, confusion, tottering riffage and apocalyptic joy to the listener. What is probably most distinguishing is that, Lo and Behold, Free Salamander Exhibit is a band in the truest sense of the word. A very real, well-honed, cared-about and labored-over band that builds upon its ancient and true chemistries with their new ideas. Forgoing any suggestion of cheap imaginary elaborations into digital simulacra, we are rewarded with Free Salamander Exhibit's preference for their arsenal of imaginative homemade musical instruments (in addition to their guitars, basses, and drums). Though it's difficult-as-ever to characterize much about this collective with any accuracy, Undestroyed sees them embracing their true art-prog-rock (in opposition) calling as never before. Both initiates and newcomers are better off abandoning all expectation as they step into their new curatorial realm.Media/Samples
As for the music, Trusties continues to dabble in neo-classical progressive rock, yet stirring modern sounds from Dream Theater to System Of A Down to Pain Of Salvation. The core of the songs seem to revolve around the guitar structure which offers crisp and sharp riffage and solos. Actually when first spinning Untouchable, I found the Trusties' music, particularly in the first half, to be more heavy and harsh than with the previous album Human Wheel. I'll admit, I was a bit put off with the albums development. However, I think some of that early sound reflects the dark character of the story. Alternatively, the latter third of the album was much more interesting with Trusties juxtaposing lighter, almost melancholy moments, with the edgier darker side.Read the full review by Craig Hartranft at dangerdog.com
This bizarre group presents its second conceptual work, based on a futuristic story very much in the style of "B" movies from the fifties and the 60’s. Their music is delirious: a rare mixture between extreme Rock In Opposition (such as Sleepytime Gorillas Museum), the circus-craziness of Mr. Bungle and the typical "B" Movies' music from those years.Media/Samples