Armed Cloud "Obsidian Desert"

Country: Netherlands
Genre(s): Progressive Metal
Label: MaXxive Records
Format: CD, digital
Release date: May 9, 2015
Tracklist: 

1. Obsidian Desert - 5:57
2. Jealousy with a Halo - 4:12
3. Wounder Healer - 4:45
4. Meltdown - 6:03
5. My Own Kind - 5:53
6. Morning Star - 6:21
7. In Your Mind - 7:25
8. Pyramid of Charlatans - 4:43
9. Aftermath of Moral Hazard - 4:10
10. Wasted? - 8:21

Line-up: 
Wouter van der Veen - Guitars/Backing Vocals
Boris Suvee - Bass
Remco van der Veen - Keyboards/Backing Vocals
Daan Dekker - Vocals
Rico Noijen - Drums

Description/Reviews: 

The compositions on Obsidian Desert are a blend of traditional heavy progressive metal, but with a heavy symphonic touch. Bands like Queensryche and Fates Warning absolutely are the band member's favourites, but Armed Cloud just uses these influences to create their own sound, something that has started with their EP release and is evolving every time the band plays. Listen to the album's opener and title track Obsidian Desert and you will be totally blown away by the drum sound in combination with the crunchy guitars. Daan's vocals perfectly work for this powerful song, which has a smooth keyboard orientated midsection. I think this title track is the perfect opener for the album as they definitely have my attention. When Jealousy With A Halo continues, the power of the previous song increases, Boris' bass guitar alongside Nico's double kick drums makes sure of a furious constant pace. Although this song has both a cool keyboard and a strong guitar solo, the treat of this song is the power and noticeable coherency of the musicians. Above all, Jealousy With A Halo has a stunning end; a sort of spoken words through a megaphone and fine double bass drums.

 Read the full review by Pedro Bekkers at backgroundmagazine.nl

Media/Samples 
Progstreaming
Jealousy with a Halo

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