SUN CAGED

my favorite songs on this album are ashes to earn, shades of hades, and fish afraid of drowning. These songs really show the evolution in the people in the band growing as musicians and their increasing potential for greater things in the future.

the singer out did himself on the melodies for the verses and choruses on...well every single song melodies that will be stuck in your head in that good way that only sun caged can do

check it out

-stephen maes

Sure, melody is not everything - you could go for technicality or atmosphere. Few bands manage to handle both equally well - that's why Dreamtheater, love 'em or hate 'em, are the standard by which this kind of prog metal is measured. Sun Caged, I think, still follows the "melody plus accesible technicality" approach, but comes out a bit bland. An example of what I mean. Italian band Odd Dimension also treads the familiar 8-minute prog path, but imbues it with Rhapsody-like over-the-top ness, especially in vocals, making it sound fun as well as technical. Infuses prog metal, which has been growing stale the past years, with energy.

But song titles are nice, I'll give them that. maybe because singer is the lone English-native speaker. Tip-toe the Fault-Line. Genius. And the actual tip-toeing with the low-register keys in the beginning is cool too.

In my view, Sun Caged is not the first tier. They are certainly competent, but the best description I can come up with is, well, OK. Lyre's harmony has an OK intro, making me think, well, I will listen to this. A Fair Trade is an OK melodic song, they are some good choruses and bass lines here and there (instrumental credits list a fretlss bass). The sound is thinner and solos are fewer than average for prog metal, keys are more of an atmospheric backdrop. Singer has a melodic voice, well suited for pop-rock, but not powerful enough for metal. Perhaps accordingly, the tempo is mostly slow-to-mid. In short, nothing here stands out. There are no moments here that make me think, what a groovy riff, or, what an unexpected twist. Departing Words does have a ragtime-space guitar-Indian music-xylophone instrumental sequence, which is unfortunately book-ended by a bizarre "robotic woman" vocal sample and all too obviously inspired by Dreamtheater sound experiments. OK, but not essential.

My personal favorites are "Shades of Hades" and "The 8 Auspicious Symbols" (the last 8 tracks on this album which are actually a 24 minute song). Every song---and I mean every---on this album is a master work. I especially love how the vocalist pieces together the lyrics----just expert in every sense of the word. I'm also a big fan of the keyboards, especially in track "Pareidolized".

I have read some reviews that claim that the music in the first few tracks is jumbled or incoherent, but I am not quite sure what they mean. This is a progressive metal album, and if the heaviness is too much (though it isn't that heavy), I suggest one should switch genres. The first track, "Seamripper" features some amazing drum work that could be a little overbearing, but the melody of the music and the vocals easily balances this. As it is, this album features a myriad of tempo changes, harmonizing vocals, crunching guitars as well as well-done solos, audible rhythmic bass, and keyboards that provide an amazing atmosphere and vibe. Add to this a brainy theme of using scientific terms to discuss human mortality and depravity, and you have an album that deserves some recognition.

"Seam Ripper (& The Blanket Statement)" is experimental and mellow to start. Like you want to turn it up, then bang ! That loud and noisy sound kicks in. It does level out quickly though with vocals coming in after 1 1/2 minutes.This reminds me of ENCHANT only a little heavier.

"Tip-Toe The Fault-Line" is heavy to start and vocals come in around a minute as it settles back.The riffs kick back in though. Drums lead then synths after 3 1/2 minutes when the vocals stop. Guitar is next then the vocals return.

"Ashes To Ear" opens with piano then a nice crunchy sound comes in.Vocals follow then a guitar solo 3 minutes in followed by piano.Vocals are back.

"Shades Of Hades" is heavy with processed vocals early. A bass / drum solo before 2 minutes then the vocals return with a full sound. "Reductio Ad Absurdum" is a mellow ENCHANT-like song. "On Again / Off Again" kicks in right away and vocals and piano arrive before a minute.

"Lotus" is the one song that i really enjoy. Reserved vocals early and I really like when the sound gets fuller. Atmosphere ends it. "Parlidolized (The Ocean In The Shell)" is laid back with vocals a minute in. Heaviness comes and goes.The relaxed guitar solo around 4 1/2 minutes is good.

The next five short tracks blend into one another until we get to the closer "Let It Wash Away (The Lotus Effect)". Piano and vocals to start.It picks up before a minute and does get a little heavier later.

I'm thankful to have their first two albums but this one unfortunately doesn't measure up.

Thus I waited with (...somewhat prolonged) anticipation as to how The Lotus Effect could better such a stirling effort. It was certainly worth the wait. Sun Caged stick within the same vein as Artemesia, yet still manage to push the boundaries further musically.

Running at just over 72 mins the album certainly gives you your moneys worth. The album contains 14 tracks the first 7 tracks are pretty much stand alone. The final 7 form an epic suite entitled the 8 Auspicious Symbols (although there are only 7 tracks!?).

The material forming this suite on its own make this album a worthwhile purchase, however the first half also contains a few gems. For me 'Tip Toe the Fault Line' and 'On Again/Off Again' particularly stood out; then again I am a sucker for guitar/keys duels. 'Ashes to Ear' and 'Lotus' also provide softer, more melodic moments.

Sun Caged certainly are a band that deserve much more recognition and a place amongst the prog metal elite. Judge for yourself... 5/5