Greensleeves: Inertial Frames

I don't know about you, but even on my second encounter with them, a band named Greensleeves certainly doesn't prepare me for bristling Progressive Metal, where the emphasis is focused more on the Metal than the Prog. Inertial Frames is this Brazilian outfit's second release from a career spanning two decades and it has to be said that for the most part, it is an accomplished and confident affair. Heavy it is, but more in a Pagan's Mind meets Circus Maximus kind of way, although without ever really suggesting the consistency or class of either.

Most of the songs on offer are based round the twin riffing of Victor Schmidlin and Cicero Baggio, the pair providing a keen balance of Iron Maiden like cascades and Dream Theater-esque diversions. Both are talented players and the spark between them is a firm highlight across "Fireflies" or "Construct". However where things come slightly unstuck is through the over reached vocals from Gui Nogueira; an enthusiastic attack possibly the reason behind a delivery which feels over cooked and desperately hoping to find a theatricality and atmosphere the music craves. Don't get me wrong, for Gui can sing but the hope that time would blunt the scatter-gunness of his approach hasn't really come through.

It's the ever changing approach of tracks such as "Dyschromatopsia" which serve Greensleeves best, the inviting, poised intro making way for a mix of darting fret flurries, all out riffola and Progressive themes, which highlight the diversity of this band to the full. While there's no denying that when the mood takes them, a full on Metal assault isn't out of the question.

However, when you take into account that this is a band with more than twenty years experience, the end results on Inertial Frames is still more promise suggested, than delivered upon. Although in the lengthy, almost title track of "Inertial Frames Of Reference", when this act hit their mark, the do so with quite stunning effect. In the end however they don't manage to reach that standard with the consistency required. Far from being a poor album, Inertial Frames is only really recommended for those who simply can't get enough bullish, riff led Progressive Metal.

Track Listing
1. Fireflies
2. Unsolved
3. Construct
4. Dyschromatopsia
5. Decoding Love
6. Broken
7. Fading Heroes
8. Seed of Ego
9. Lich Bride
10. Fixed
11. Inertial Frames of Reference
12. The Little Things

Added: March 28th 2015
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Greensleeves on facebook
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Language: english

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