Across The Sun - Before The Night Takes Us

Keep an eye on these boys, cuz they've got the talent to become a bad-ass metal band.I know that progressive metal has its cliches and that every new technique or nuance that manages its way into my favorite sub-genre of music eventually gets used ad nauseum, but it's not always bad. Seriously, it's not like I don't know that the whole odd time signature, switching between cookie monster on the verse and clean vocals on the chorus (or vice versa) thing is new. But new doesn't automatically equal good, which is why I have to give it all a real listen before I go givin' my stamp, right?

Across The Sea is, on its surface, another progressive metal band (in this case from Portland, Oregon - yeah, Portland) with the usual description; five guys each highly skillled with their respective instruments, having polished their sound over the last seven years of writing and touring.  The band was apparently refined enough to get signed with Metal Blade and garner the assistance of producer/engineer Daniel Castleman (As I Lay Dying), resulting in their first official studio release, Before The Night Takes Us.  And you know what?  They're really good.  The mix is good, with a nice layering of Scott Hafer's blistering guitar work over Shane Murray's spacious keys and Alan Ashcraft's rock-steady drums.  Brandon Davis' vocals are also quite good, with his melodeath growl a little stronger than his clean tone, but the man is even and strong, so no worries.

I'm not gonna say ATS is bringing anything groundbreaking to the table, but I must say they're a great example of the genre, and a really talented bunch of dudes that know how to throw down some heavy tunes and that scratches my progmetal itch, know what I mean?  And with a nice picking up of the torch as it were for In Flames' lost melodic death metal top-of-the-heapery, I salute these Oregonians.

Standout Tracks: Descent & Discovery (fantastic solo), Tipping the Scales (epic intro) & In The Face of Adversity

- Genghis is air growling some vocals over here...

Vacation's Almost Over

Hittin' up that vay-cay-cay, baby. Mmm...smell the melanoma!So, rather than give you more excuses, let it be known that our summer vacation here at The Right To Rock will be drawing to a close around next week.  At that time your hosts, Genghis & Ragman, will be getting back into the swing of things with new content.

No other promises or whatever to break, just a heads up that the long wait will be over soon.  We look forward to dishing up the content and appreciate your patience.

Until then, HORNS UP!

- Genghis is ready for some free time to prepare some content...

Symphony X - Iconoclast

The boys from Jersey are back and kicking as much ass as ever. 'Nuff said.It's that time again, progressive metal fans: another release from Symphony X.  What may have begun as a glorified demo from guitar phenomenon Michael Romeo has long since become a tight, musical machine and one of the major players in the progressive metal genre.  If Dream Theater is the confident, prevailing Zeus in the pantheon of progmetal gods, then Symphony X is surely Hades, the fiery, formidable counterpart. And while Dream Theater has shed some of the trappings of the musical style it helped define in the pursuit of innovation, Symphony X continues to wear its influences on its sleeve - without sacrificing maturity.  

Now Romeo's playing may get the focus - progmetal is a predominately guitar-driven genre after all - but Russell Allen's vocals have gotten better on every album since his debut on The Damnation Game. And you'd be hard-pressed to find a better backing section than Pinella, Rullo and Lepond on keys, drums, and bass, respectively, all of which collectively makes up an amazing sound under the masterful direction of Romeo (who's produced every album since The Odyssey).

Iconoclast isn't a concept album per se, but there is a theme along the lines of classic science fiction and the fear of a world taken over and run by machines. The album has a suitably darker, apocalyptic quality than previous releases, following the lead of 2007's Paradise Lost.  Frankly, I like the tone and the appropriately aggressive nature of Romeo's incendiary leads coupled with Allen's measured growls. Russell's voice has steadily gotten more ferocious in recent years without losing the smoother side of his near four octave range (compare When All Is Lost and The End of Innocence). The man's just amazing, one of the best there is, no question.

But in the end it all comes down to Michael Romeo's playing and songwriting. Iconoclast starts out with an amazing instrumental prelude to the title track that serves to introduce the major players in this theme; a frenetic, machine-like interlude that flows into a soaring keyboard/vocal measure of human spirit before Russell breaks in at the 3 minute mark. Now if you're a Sym X fan, you know what follows: Romeo's insane legato flurries, Russell's majestic vocals, Rullo's dynamic, jack-hammer drumwork, Lepond's fluid, bass runs and Pinnella's jaw-dropping keyboard pyrotechnics, all showcased in every one of Romeo's inventive, exhilarating, compositions, replete with odd time signatures, and the dynamics normally only heard in symphonies outside of the better progmetal bands.  (deep breath)

The most gratifying thing about every Symphony X album I've listened to since being turned on to The Divine Wings of Tragedy on a cold winter's night (I still grin like a maniac when I hear Of Sins And Shadows) 14 years ago is that I find something new to be amazed by with every subsequent listen.  The music is just so layered it rewards the eager listener.

The Bottom Line: If you're a Symphony X fan, you'll most likely love this as much as I do.  But if you're new to the music of the boys from Jersey, and you like the metals, give these guys a try.  You will most likely come out of it with a new appreciation for the genre - and a sore neck.

Standout Tracks: Are you shitting me?

- Genghis is in his best rockstar pose air-guitaring his ass off...

No Metal Minute This Week

Sorry, gang, some personal business has called me away from the studio this week.  But I'm gathering stories in the mean time for an all new show next week.  See you then.

- Genghis is taking care of business (and working overtime)...

Podcast #121: Torch

If nothing else, no one throws around that "K" sound like Dave.Where do you go to find new music? There are lots of outlets but how do you know you’ve found the best one? Join Genghis and Ragman as they discuss the best places to discover new music, and also delve into the subject of who will carry the torch when the metal masters retire. Next join us for a one on one interview with guitarist, David Michael Phillips (Dave Henzerling), from the reformed King Kobra who discusses the new CD as well as plans for a new Big Cock record.

DVD of the Show: Opeth - Live at the Royal Albert Hall

Beer of the Show: Werewolf (Beer Rating: 3)

Guest Sound Man: Ozzy Guest Intern: Lars

Featured Tracks: Jettblack - Slip it On; Opeth - Bleak (Live); Y & T - Lipstick and Leather, and Don’t Stop Runnin'; Hardcore Superstar - Last Call for Alcohol; Enforcer - Midnight Vice; Reckless Love - Beautiful Bomb; Evergrey - Frozen; King Kobra - Hunger, Turn Up the Good Times, Midnight Woman and Live Forever

Classic of the Show: Magnitude 9 - Into the Sun

Genghis Pick of the Show: Jurojin - The Dreaming

Ragman Pick of the Show: Craving Lucy - Changes

- Ragman is praying for rain...

Podcast #121: Torch