SONIC PULSAR

"Out Of Place" is using the same principles and consequently is pretty much similar to the "Ayreon" inspired "Playing The Universe". Still, the metal angle is more blatant ("Burning Inside Me") and therefore I don't like it as much.

One of the most elaborate song is the mini suite (just over ten minutes) "Schizophrenic Playground". It opens as a Floydean affair, very spacey and aerial as the name of this section imposes ("Falling Asleep").

This song is supposed to depict a standard night: fall asleep, dreams, nightmare and awakening. At times, KC is at reach (especially the guitar play). The "Nightmare" part mainly. But is this a surprise with such a title?

This instrumental track is a highlight for sure.

Some short numbers are sounding like fillers and could have been avoided ("Always Knew", " A Chain Of Actions") but the long "I Hear Of A Place Called Earth" is quite attractive. Once again, Floyd is the reference (the intro has a lot to share with "Hey You") with some added prog metal lines. Skilled guitar work as well during this quite good piece of music.

The closing parts from "Out Of Place" are not do good: but that's only due to their metal progressiveness I guess ("Solitary Star" and the well named " Instrumetal"). Fortunately the melodic closing "Time Has Been Broken" brings some variety again.

This album is not as good as its predecessor. Three stars.

The good impression lasts for more than this. A song as "Dreamscapes" is really worth: aerial keyboards and a nice melody are the body of this instrumental track which gives another angle to the music of "Sonic Pulsar" and demonstrates that the band plays diversified music. Another good instrumental but more guitar oriented ("Sonic Pulsar") also allows an enjoyable moment.

Vocals (in English) are quite decent as well, and the use of keyboards makes the whole melodic if not spacey at times. This album is almost the work of the leader Hugo Flores and his song writing is more than acceptable ("Sending Dead Flowers").

This album is pleasant so far, and "Wasting" is another good song which can be related to "Ayreon": bombastic and heavier. Again, keyboards are quite elegant amongst these metal guitar lines and some smooth vocals are welcome at mid time.

There are even acoustic moments available under the form of "Old Man's Tale" which is a short rock ballad. Very nice acoustic guitar work for this gentle piece of music which sounds drastically different from the heavy atmosphere of the uniform and repetitive "In Slow Motion" which is one of the weakest track.

On the other end, the wonderful instrumental "This Is Not A Jam Session" is a highlight. The guitar play is absolutely awesome and the heavy pace is even mixed with spacey passages. Very catchy.

After two average songs, the music gets back more interesting with the closing suite made of two parts: "Playing Tthe Universe..." and "...Somewhere In The Universe". Actually these are two songs which flows one into the other with brilliance and offer a fine combination of prog metal instrumental, and some good neo style.

I was a bit sceptic before my listening: over seventy minutes can be longish or even boring; but this is by no means the case with this album. Seven out of ten (but upgraded to four stars). A nice discovery.

"Out Of Place" kicks in with heavy drums quickly. Vocals a minute in. I like the guitar solo before 3 minutes and the synths that follow. "Burning Inside Me" is laid back as guitar cries out. Vocals and drums take over and it gets heavier before 1 1/2 minutes. The guitar is grinding away after 3 minutes then we get a blistering guitar attack after 5 minutes. "Schizophrenic Playground" is the highlight,a 10 minute instrumental with tons of guitar and aggressiveness. "Always Knew" is a lightweight tune with strummed guitar and reserved vocals. "Intro" opens with spoken words and synths. It kicks in before a minute with some amazing guitar.

"I Heard Of A Place Called Earth" opens with synths. Processed vocals before a minute. It's building, then it kicks in after 2 1/2 minutes. The guitar is lights out good. "Ghosts Of The Lost Planes" features lots of atmosphere. "Solitary Star" has some spoken words and piano early. A relaxed melody takes over with vocals. It's heavier 1 1/2 minutes in. "Instrumental" opens with bass as riffs follow. Lots of tempo and mood shifts on this one. "Moving Engines" opens with spoken words and atmosphere. Reserved vocals before a minute as the music comes in. Lots of atmosphere still. "Time Has Been Broken" opens with vocals then the music kicks in quickly.

At almost 70 minutes it's way too long. I really like the guitar but I have too many complaints unfortunately.

This really rocks all the way, all the time. There's not much rest on this record; the band's really pouring it's heart out to impress the listener. Was I impressed? Hmm, I'd say by moments I was stunned by the amount of stuff they actually crammed in the record. There's sooo much stuff to digest, were to begin?

First, this is truly a prog metal album, in the Ayreon way. Which means big guitar chords, big voices and big space-travelling keyboards. Despite the ressemblance with Star One and other such, Sonic Pulsar is really living it's name: the concept of space travelling and cosmos exploration is well fulfilled. We could even state some Star Trek influences on the narration/ computer voice, welcoming you many times. On some tracks, the feeling is different...there's actually some good pop moments in the end. And boy oh boy, they didn't hide their influences; this sounds like, hold on tight: Depeche Mode! Yes, I couldn't hide a smile either. The voice, the beat box, the keyboards and the choruses are truly a spin-off from the Violator album. Hey, who knows? Maybe progressive pop's the future? Tee hee.

Overall, this album didn't made noise in 2005. The Portugese trio didn't reached out too much people at first, but I'm sure that word-to-mouth will make this record get a better crowd. Despite the thickness of the record (changing pace, obscur melodies, the amount of everything) it's an album were you hear the apply they've given from start to finish. From Ayreon to Dream Theater by Rush and finally Depeche Mode, you will find something interesting there, for sure!

An ambitious record from a rigorous band that obviously wants to be part of the greats.