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Lost in Thought: Opus Arise
 Over the past couple of years the progressive metal scene has been over run with Dream Theater clones. And eventually I thought they would all go away since many newer, and sometimes better, bands were popping up. But it seems that they will never go away. Not saying that I don't like Dream Theater clones, I do like some of them, but can't bands be a bit more original? Dream Theater is one of my favorite bands because I like their style and their sound so I find it hard to dislike a band that sounds similar to them. Lost in Thought is one of those bands. They have a great sound, but almost no originality. Hailing from the United Kingdom, Opus Arise is their first full length album and it has some very sections, but what they have in musicianship they lack in originality.
Already I seem to be beating a dead horse with this originality issue, but it's one of those things that I think is a key element in music. It is amazing, though, how well Nate Loosemore copies James Labrie's voice. Whether it is by accident or not, right off the bat you can tell it. 'Beyond the Flames' starts out with a signature Dream Theater guitar and bass riff that soon transfers into some good singing. Even the song structures remind me of Dream Theater. The counter rhythms and melodies are exactly like Dream Theater's down to the last note. While Lost in Thought has lots of skill, namely guitarist David Grey, their lack of originality kills them.
Lost in Thought seems to bridge all of Dream Theater's albums on Opus Arise. 'Beyond the Flames' could be taken straight out of Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence while songs like 'New Times Awaken' and 'Lost in Thoughts' could easily be taken off Dream Theater's newer albums. The drumming on this album doesn't even come close to Mike Portnoy's, but Chris Billingham tries, especially on 'Lost in Thoughts' were the drums sound just like the ones used on 'Pull Me Under'.
The production is especially good, with a warm 70's prog style to it.
While Opus Arise features some great musicianship, it takes a downfall because of its lack of originality. This album would've been an easy 4 star album if Lost in Thought could've found their own style. With their talent, Lost in Thought can easily make a much better and more original release in the future, but for now they get 3.5 stars.
Track Listing
1. Beyond The Flames
2. Entity
3. Blood Red Diamond
4. Seek To Find
5. New Times Awaken
6. Delusional Abyss
7. Lost In Thoughts
8. Assimulate, Destroy
Added: June 13th 2011
Reviewer: Brian Block
Score:  
Related Link: Band's MySpace Page
Hits: 4678
Language: english
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Lost in Thought: Opus Arise
Posted by Jeff B, SoT Staff Writer on 2011-06-13 20:43:53
My Score:
Though there is certainly no shortage of traditional prog metal bands out there, one could argue that there is a shortage of truly excellent prog metal bands on the modern scene. Lost in Thought, a young band from Wales formed in 2007, offers a major exception to that rule with their stellar debut album, Opus Arise. If traditional prog metal with a modern edge is your preferred genre, I'd recommend this one in a heartbeat. This isn't an album to blow you away with its originality, but the top-notch production, melodic hooks, and technical mastery should be enough to satisfy any progressive metal fan. This should be one of the finest albums that 2011 has to offer.
Lost in Thought plays a style of traditional progressive metal in the vein of Dream Theater, Pagan's Mind, and Vanden Plas. Opus Arise may not be the most groundbreaking album you'll ever come across, but it certainly is a fine example of modern prog metal done right. Every song here is extremely memorable and well-composed. This is an album that grabs you with its melodic hooks the first time around, and reveals its complexity and depth over repeated spins. Just listen to those fantastic vocals from Nate Loosemore in "Beyond the Flames" - or even the entire album, for that matter. The man is simply a fantastic vocalist who frequently reminds me of a younger James LaBrie or Andy Kuntz. Musicianship-wise, Opus Arise is a winner across the board. These guys are clearly very talented virtuosos; there's no weak link here. Just listen to that fantastic keyboard work from Greg Baker, the near-impossible drum patterns from Chris Billingham, the technically outstanding solos from David Grey, and the rock-solid bass work from Rhys Anslow. Lost in Thought is simply a joy to listen to, and the fantastic songwriting surely gives these virtuosos plenty of time to shine.
As odd as this may sound, one of my favorite things about Opus Arise is the production. This comment isn't at all downplaying the other elements of the album, but more-so accentuating how terrific this album sounds. The clean, modern sound still manages to inject plenty of emotion and power that's expressed through Lost in Thought's music. Kudos to Jacob Hansen for giving this album such an outstanding production!
Opus Arise is a terrific debut from Lost in Thought - it's hard to imagine that such great heights were reached this early in the band's career. I absolutely adore this album and will be keeping a close eye on them in the coming years. A very enthusiastic 4 - 4.5 stars are deserved for Opus Arise. This is among the best prog metal albums that the United Kingdom has to offer.
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Lost in Thought: Opus Arise
Posted by John OBoyle, SoT Staff Writer on 2011-04-27 17:35:10
My Score:
Forget those preposterous Spinal Tap statements of, "turn it up to eleven". There isn't a number high enough on your system for you to play this album.
Opus Arise is a driving and powerful statement for today's prog metal bands, a new band that has more than provided an adequate statement to the rest of the world of their intent. This is an album that is filled with powerful high class music, being the bands debut album, a fact that has stunned me. What we are talking about here is music that moves in the same circles as Pagan's Mind, Threshold, Dream Theater and Seventh Wonder and of the same calibre these bands have exercised.
What is even more impressive is that this isn't a band that hails from the weather torn Nordic or Scandinavian countries or the Americas..... No siree these five guys are from the UK, Wales to be more specific.
This is an album filled with David Grey's huge guitar riffs that are powerful, melodic and dexterous, acoustic and electric that confidently meets all the requirements for near perfection. Grey's interaction with Greg Baker's keyboards is second to none, which when its all been unified with the massive orchestration, epic melodic vocals that are powerful, even in their dynamic ballad approaches, aligned with those fascinating time changes, viola you have Opus Arise. The standout tracks, well to be honest pick a number between one and eight, because as they say everyone is a winner.
Lost in Thought has managed to capture and combine perfectly the elements of prog rock / metal, symphonic metal and melodic metal-core, with such high quality, something that the record company has recognised and something that you should too. If this is their debut god help the world and prog metal, as their sophomore album has the potential to be colossal.
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Lost in Thought: Opus Arise
Posted by Romano Salvatore on 2011-06-11 11:40:28
My Score:
The album is awesome. I think it's amazing to hear a band playing Prog like it should be played. This type of melodic Prog died in the 90's and it's awesome to hear a band keeping it alive the way it should be played.
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