Funeral Rain Press Corps

Genres: Hard Rock, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock
Label: Independent

I found an email from Thesis in my inbox, asking if I could do a review of their new body of work, Channel 1. They described themselves as a progressive rock with metallic leanings, so I said sure. I’d be happy to.
And if only I knew what I was getting into.
Thesis don’t fall into an easy to define area of music, because they are very progressive, with some psychedelic elements. Amazing musicianship, with an extremely strong voice, Thesis remind me of a slower, more melodic and pretty sounding Tool or Cynic. At times even reminding me of Opeth.
Violins, heavy riffs, and an occasionally oppressive feeling fill this album, and it’s great. Check it out if you’re into progressive music.
8 out of 10.

Thesis on MySpace.

Genre: Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Power Metal
Label: AFM Records

Oh my, oh my. What to call this? Good, for one, that’s obvious. But really, genre wise, what should I say? It’s got a ton of Power Metal, some Gothic Metal, Symphonic Metal, and Progressive Metal. And I think there’s even some thrash elements smacking my eardrum here.
How about this: Neverland bring a Progressive Symphogoth Power Metal to the listener that hearkens to Judas Priest-meets-Lacuna Coil-through-Metallica-covering-Iced Earth. Sound fucked up enough for you? I assure you, skeptic, that it works. Wonderfully. I’m genuinely liking Neverland a lot, and their awesome sound on Ophidia. It’s got Metalgasmic solos, a stunning rhythm section, and some seriously awesome traditional metal vocals.
If you call yourself a metalhead, you’ll like this. If you worship at the Temple of Trad, you’ll love it.
7.5 out of 10.

Neverland on MySpace.

Genre: Doom, Progressive
Labels: Battle Kommand, Candlelight Records

This is kind of a complicated album to describe, which for me is odd.
It reminds me of Wintersleep, Deftones, and Dillinger Escape Plan all hanging out together and jamming with Rwake crashing the party.
The title track alone has elements from all four of these bands, classic rock solos, and a doomy riff structure. The song after (“Grey Wolves”) has some nearly blackened vocals going on, with a fast snare that’s a little jazzy at the beginning of the song.
I don’t know what the fuck to call this. Other than great of course.
If you like odd metal, check out these guys. If you like normal, standard verse-chorus-verse metal, I strongly advise you stand back a little.
9.5 out of 10

Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Candlelight Records

This is one of the coolest sounding albums I’ve heard in awhile. It’s got everything here, and it’s just so damn good. A little bit of death metal riffing, some black metal, a touch of electronics, tons of progressive influence, and some classic pure metal. Finishing his “A” trilogy with After, Ihsahn is not pulling any punches. It’s a classic and it’s only a week old as I write this.
Ihsahn’s voice, despite the great music, is the true star of this album. He’s got such amazing strength and power in his vocal delivery, whether it be the deep blackened style in “Undercurrent” or the sorrowful, plaintive delivery in the same song. He honestly kind of reminds me of Mikael Åkerfeldt at times, while still keeping his own sound.
Saxophone and eight string guitars bring another level of depth and heaviness to the album. The drums are awesome, with a nice pop on the snare and deep kicks, the bass rumbles perfect lines that both compliment the song and progress it.
Metalheads, listen up. Get this album. It’s not Emperor, it’s not Thou Shalt Suffer, it’s not Peccatum, and it’s not Zyklon-B. It’s all of them. And none of them. It’s wonderful and amazing.
10 out of 10.