Spanish prog metal band After Lapse have already released one record on the Italian label and they look to follow up their debut with Pathways. This second album keeps the strong influence of bands such as Dream Theater the debut had alongside some more modern prog metal elements too.
Pathways though gets going with so The Shadow People which incorporates so much of the Dream Theater style you half expect James LaBrie to start singing from the “S.O.S” Morse Code intro, the stop start riff and melodic chorus it’s all very Dream Theater, on Dying Star too there’s that emotive quality to DT’s music Rubén Miranda’s voice putting a lower European gruffness on the fragility of LaBrie’s.
After Lapse aren’t a one trick pony, they add some of the epic sounds of Haken on Dust To Dust, a modern sounding prog track where the guitars and keys interplay, guitarists Miguel Ángel Rueda and Iván Marín adding the djenty riffs to the oscillating synths of Pablo Sancha. What you’ll notice about After Lapse’s music, is that it’s very percussive, driven by the drumming and synths both use counter rhythms and repetition to carry the tracks.
This is perhaps because drummer Roberto Cappa and keyboardist Pablo Sancha are the founding members, the drumming and the keys play a major role, especially on the funky Dirty Loop’s like Thanks, But No Thanks, where Javier Palacios bass comes to prominence too.
With Pathways After Lapse express more of their influences, from the epic prog rock of Walking By The Wire, the djenty Wounds Of The Past and the atmospheric Turn Into Light. Pathways has you investing a bit more time and consideration into who After Lapse are as a band. 8/10
Illusion Force - Halfana (Frontiers Music Srl)
Japanese power metal band Illusion Force are massively influenced by the lighting fast power metal that is integral to the shred obsessed Japanese scene.
Famously brought to the West by DragonForce, this 'extreme' power metal sound is rife across this third album. Halfana is their debut for Frontiers though, previously releasing two albums through Japanese label King Records, they have a large amount of touring behind them so the virtuosity on this record has been honed on stage and in the studio.
Musically if you like DragonForce or a faster Helloween or Stratovarius (who's guitarist Matias Kupiainen mixed the record) then you'll love the hour of Illusion Force's warp speed shredding and fretboard trickery fed by blast beats and most importantly some excellent vocals that will certainly open them up to a Western audience, singer Jinn having a bluesy tone that sits well in the crazy shred metal, adding a 80's metal style.
Musically if you like DragonForce or a faster Helloween or Stratovarius (who's guitarist Matias Kupiainen mixed the record) then you'll love the hour of Illusion Force's warp speed shredding and fretboard trickery fed by blast beats and most importantly some excellent vocals that will certainly open them up to a Western audience, singer Jinn having a bluesy tone that sits well in the crazy shred metal, adding a 80's metal style.
Featuring a 4 part suite in the middle of the record unless you love this style of music it's not going to change your mind but Illusion Force have a big following in their home country and will gain more fans with this new record. 7/10
DELLA NOVA - Della Nova (Self Released)
There's a drum solo on this record, a bloody drum solo! There's also a LOT of info about DELLA NOVA, that's how it's written all caps, the band clearly having something to shout about. Born as project during lockdown for frontman/guitarist/songwriter Alex Bowmer who recorded in the converted church/warehouse where he lives. This debut album has been a long time coming and is inspired totally by Alex's experiences and musical influences.
The trio on the recording is rounded out by long-time collaborator Joe Chauncy on bass and drummer Karl Hall, who happens to be Alex's cousin and has since left the band replaced by Adam Szabo. It was mixed/mastered by Ben Jeffes another long term friend of Alex. So clearly Alex is a man with connections and a lot of luck, his own recording studio, talented musician friends and family, so this album is a ten then yeah?
Well no as the music DELLA NOVA have produced is actually quite generic for my taste. There's talk of Royal Blood, QOTSA and AIC, and while the first one is true, I'd have to pitch this record as heavier Brit Pop, the influence of the Madchester scene is quite pronounced in the vocals while the music swaps E for lithium, using crunchy 8 string guitar riffs for a 'heavy' sound for me it's a bit too constructed and a bit too safe.
Della Nova (the album) is a decent debut but that's about it, DELLA NOVA (the band) are an indie band trying to tap into the heavy rock market. 5/10
Trouble County - Blacken The Sky (Epitronic)
From Portsmouth via California and Seattle, NWOCR crew Trouble County release their debut album. If we're making comparisons then track such as Desperado reminds me of Alice In Chains and Awake of Black Label Society, while the opener 12 Gauge has some Allman swagger. Trouble County aim their music at the darker side of southern rock, incorporating grunge, the 80's Sunset Strip and an outlaw country ethos.
The vocals have a Weiland/Rose-esque sneer on Buckcherry sleaziness of You Again, while over on Gotta Try there's a gospel approach against the ever present distorted riffs and powerful drumming. Songs about drinking, getting high and generally being a ner'do well are mixed with a environmental message. A lot of this album brought to mind Velvet Revolver, a band I absolutely loved (it's the best band Slash and Duff have been in).
While Trouble County don't quite reach the same heights as that band did. With Blacken The Sky they have delivered a strong debut album crafted through live show refining. 7/10
There's a drum solo on this record, a bloody drum solo! There's also a LOT of info about DELLA NOVA, that's how it's written all caps, the band clearly having something to shout about. Born as project during lockdown for frontman/guitarist/songwriter Alex Bowmer who recorded in the converted church/warehouse where he lives. This debut album has been a long time coming and is inspired totally by Alex's experiences and musical influences.
The trio on the recording is rounded out by long-time collaborator Joe Chauncy on bass and drummer Karl Hall, who happens to be Alex's cousin and has since left the band replaced by Adam Szabo. It was mixed/mastered by Ben Jeffes another long term friend of Alex. So clearly Alex is a man with connections and a lot of luck, his own recording studio, talented musician friends and family, so this album is a ten then yeah?
Well no as the music DELLA NOVA have produced is actually quite generic for my taste. There's talk of Royal Blood, QOTSA and AIC, and while the first one is true, I'd have to pitch this record as heavier Brit Pop, the influence of the Madchester scene is quite pronounced in the vocals while the music swaps E for lithium, using crunchy 8 string guitar riffs for a 'heavy' sound for me it's a bit too constructed and a bit too safe.
Della Nova (the album) is a decent debut but that's about it, DELLA NOVA (the band) are an indie band trying to tap into the heavy rock market. 5/10
Trouble County - Blacken The Sky (Epitronic)
From Portsmouth via California and Seattle, NWOCR crew Trouble County release their debut album. If we're making comparisons then track such as Desperado reminds me of Alice In Chains and Awake of Black Label Society, while the opener 12 Gauge has some Allman swagger. Trouble County aim their music at the darker side of southern rock, incorporating grunge, the 80's Sunset Strip and an outlaw country ethos.
The vocals have a Weiland/Rose-esque sneer on Buckcherry sleaziness of You Again, while over on Gotta Try there's a gospel approach against the ever present distorted riffs and powerful drumming. Songs about drinking, getting high and generally being a ner'do well are mixed with a environmental message. A lot of this album brought to mind Velvet Revolver, a band I absolutely loved (it's the best band Slash and Duff have been in).
While Trouble County don't quite reach the same heights as that band did. With Blacken The Sky they have delivered a strong debut album crafted through live show refining. 7/10
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