Andromeda: The Immunity Zone

Sweden's answer to Dream Theater, the accomplished Andromeda, return with their fourth studio offering, The Immunity Zone, and first for Nightmare Records. The band seems to be going for a slightly more straightforward and heavier sound here, though fear not progressive metal lovers, there's still plenty of instrumental wizardry on display, the band just decided this time around not to beat you over the head with overall complexity, solos, and intricate arrangements.

Opening cut "Recognizing Fate" is a pretty crunchy tune, over 7-minutes of solid melodic metal, with a really proggy mid-section featuring loads of haunting synths and lead bass lines. The more riff-driven approach continues on "Slaves of the Plethoria Season", guitarist Johan Reinholdz really driving the 'metal' aspect of the band while keyboard player Martin Hedin provides lots of proggy bits and drummer Thomas Lejon really is locking in deep with some fusiony beats and complex fills. "Ghosts On Retinas" is a more pop flavored, somewhat futuristic sounding piece, and very symphonic, with lead singer David Fremberg really putting on a fine performance, while "Censoring Truth" is just a sizzling progressive metal treat, again with lots of crunchy riffs and synths fluttering around the mix. Furious guitar and keyboard exchanges abound on "Worst Enemy", and the band really hits the early Dream Theater vibe on "My Star". Drummer Lejon really drives the speedy metal rocker "Another Step", Fremberg's vocals soaring to the heavens and supported by complex riffery and symphonic keys, and the the lengthy prog piece "Shadow of Lucent Moon" has plenty of atmosphere, melody, and heavy moments. This sets the stage for the album closer and epic 17-minute track "Veil of Illumination", proof positive that despite some more straightforward numbers here, this band still knows how to cook when it comes to complex & symphonic progressive metal. Expect lots of melody on this track, plenty of solos, crazy exchanges, and intricate arrangements.

Andromeda has been releasing solid stuff for a few years now, and it's debatable as to how The Immunity Zone ranks when compared to their back catalog. Tricky thing is their contemporaries like Seventh Wonder and Tomorrow's Eve have just released complete scorchers, so this one definitely has some competition when you are looking at the overall best prog-metal CD's that have come out here in 2008. No matter how you look at it though, this release is a winner for sure.

Track Listing
1 Recognizing Fate
2 Slaves of the Plethoria Season
3 Ghosts On Retinas
4 Censoring Truth
5 Worst Enemy
6 My Star
7 Another Step
8 Shadow of Lucent Moon
9 Veil of Illumination

Added: February 1st 2010
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 5603
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]