Colonist: Songs Of The Machine

There are no shortage of progressive metal bands from Europe and you can add another to that very long list in the form of Finnish band Colonist and their 2017 debut album titled Songs Of The Machine.

The band members are:
Jasper Karhunen (guitar, vocals)
Emil Lindqvist (guitar)
Emil Kaukonen (vocals)
Jonas Holmström (bass)
Viktor Finnäs (drums, percussion)

If you enjoy riff based music Colonist should suit your fancy. The riff based attack is mostly thick and heavy but the band also knows when to ease off the gas exploring lighter atmospheres. Another big plus are the lead vocals. It took a few spins to sink in but Kaukonen has a fine voice, quite powerful and melodic. Aside from a slightly monotone delivery on the disc’s first track “Metropolis� his vocals are excellent. It’s still a good tune with powerful playing all around. On the title track the soaring vocals and heavy guitar make for a real head sticker as the melodies are really catchy. The same can be said for “Helios (I Am The Sun) where the guitar reminds me of early ‘80s Rush and the excellent “Oblivion� featuring both acoustic and electric guitar. The band does a nice job of letting up a bit so as not to constantly bombard the listener with heaviness which is much appreciated. The disc ends with the powerful “Blacklight Domain� featuring some outstanding riff progressions and an excellent vocal arrangement. It’s both heavy and catchy, just the way I like my progressive metal.

Songs Of The Machine took some time but I found this to be a real grower with staying power. An excellent debut from a band loaded with potential.

Track Listing:
1. Metropolis
2. Songs Of The Machine
3. Seventh Wave
4. Helios (I Am The Sun)
5. Oblivion
6. Englassed
7. The Crown Of The Drowned King
8. Blacklight Domain

Added: May 18th 2018
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's Facebook Page
Hits: 1569
Language: english

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