Prog4you.com - Progressive Rock Review -

A week ago I put in notice to start my own business. Then I signed up for a roller coaster expedition as my refresher. I also just hit the halfway point in my marathon training program, logging close to 33 miles this week alone. As I write this, I’m on my way to a 5k in sponsorship of Girls on the Run, and that’s only an appetizer set aside for my weekly day of rest.

This has been some week and now this: Another wistful album from Sweden.

Pinch me! I must be dreaming.

While I’m still giddy, let’s get serious for a second.

I don’t mean to give the impression that I’m out of control or that this album is your common everyday delusion. Everything I’m doing is part of an overall strategy – kind of like re-branding myself. Likewise, this pensive material represents meticulous musicianship and scrupulous production.

I love the fact that it’s punctilious; precisely to the point. There’s absolutely no fluff in this heavenly nectar. Then again, bombastic lava and ambrosial frost flow down its melodic precipice.

By the way, Brett Kull (Echolyn), Derek Sherinian (Ex-Dream Theater, Planet X), Stu Nicholson (Galahad) and John Green (Singularity), are involved in this project. Yet, their solos are only a fraction of the inertial force that impels this glacier.

As for its largest moving chunks, the epic bookends clamped down around the title track are most supreme. “Closer to My Soul / Closer to Heaven” and “Red Mountain” take an already atypical implementation of Pink Floyd and program it with the Dharma Initiative. Surreptitiously, it’s Swedish, English, Irish, Indian and Middle Eastern. Somehow, they’ve managed to cover all these worldly points in a single mini-tour. While it’s all over the place, I never felt as if they thawed or lost me for an instance.

To change the subject, it’s obvious that D’s outfitted himself with some really great equipment. The synths are sweet whereas the guitars are exquisite. His axe in particular is retrofitted with tricked-out parts. If you haven’t seen this swank device, simply Google it.

Above this, he’s done some extraordinary things with the production of the bass and drums.

When you put all these smoothly fashioned appendages and integrants together, he’s machined a very keen contrivance. While this sleek appliance is eclectic, its features are intuitive and practical. As a result, this one lives up to the promise of a lifetime guarantee and not just another one of Tommy Callahan’s cow patties in a box. I’m sure I’ll be taking this superlative product out of its case early and often, and you can take that to the bank. Consequently, there is no reason to think its edginess will dull with use over time.

As for what’s left to rollout, “Thin Air” is actually heavy and breaks down slowly in the digestive tract whereas the song, “Even if I Was Wrong”, is enveloped in a low-carb wrap.

Subsequently, “Radio Sherpa” is surprisingly shrewd on the keyboards. Additionally, the drums aren’t that flakey or frostbitten either.

Lastly, “I’m Coming Down (I Shall Go Back)” does good business by forming an allegiance with the prologue. Mainly it enters into a partnership; thus tapping into the opener’s vast resources. In the right place at the right time, it reaps rewards and stakes it claim on the album’s coolest stock. For deferential displays of loyalty to its parental company, this ditty retires in the lap of luxury. So in the end, it pays to stay on with this joint venture.

If you heard Shimmering Lights, this provides much of the same. Notwithstanding, they’re still evolving as this release demonstrates an enhancement in their musical maturity level and skill set.

Hence, there really is no dilemma.

My karma is sound – even if I squandered a ten-year tenure and the decompress time I have scheduled will be experienced in conjunction with the G-forces that come with 400-ft drops. Unsure what the future holds for me but it’s going to be exhilarating. Plus it’s bright enough to necessitate shades.

As for the fourth letter in the alphabet, his project has made it thus far in the progressive arms race. Now it’s just a dash for the elite amongst the genre’s best. At the very least, they’re already registered and prepared to go the distance. Now we just have to give them time to stretch.

I guess you could say the same applies to me – at this exact moment.

8.75/10
Reviewer: Josh Turner

Visit the Artist’s Website

Discography
Sagarmatha Dilemma (2008)
Shimmering Lights (2006)