BECOME

I saw a review for this album a couple of years back on another site, giving it a full 5 out of 5 stars and being effusive in its praise. I immediately sought it out, but this was before I started shying away from most prog-metal; I guess I am getting a little long in the tooth to be doing much head banging anymore. When I saw that the album had no reviews, I figured I would dig it out and proffer one up. So were the top marks justified? I don't think so.

What we have here is pretty unadventurous; straight ahead prog metal without many memorable hooks. This album is not overly heavy and has nice, clean vocals. The singer was given his walking papers after this album was done, but he fits well with this music. When they go to two-part harmonies, they add greater depth to the music and are well done. Some of the guitar licks have a bit of that 80's feel and when the keys come to the fore from their supporting role, they often have kind of a jangly type sound that gives the songs a certain distinction, but maybe a distinction that isn't all that great. The original review mentioned a modern take on DT, Symphony X and Seiges Even while being "extremely melodic." I don't really hear any of those bands in this offering, instead thinking they might have been a capable hair band back in the day. And no melodies really stick in my head.

On the plus side, the last two songs show a bit more backbone and will be of interest to some. The guitar player is capable and does his best to keep the shred factor up. None of the other players are top notch, but no dogs in the bunch. The production is middle of the road, no real complaints there. My copy has a bonus track not mentioned on the packaging. It sounds like it may be a rehash of an earlier song, but it is done with just piano and keys. The keys try to give off an orchestral feel and there may be an actual cello thrown in for good measure.

My score will be 2.5 stars, rounded down to two. This is not a bad album, it just doesn't stick out in the morass of prog-metal offerings out there and I can't really see many discerning readers of PA finding it an album that is necessary to their collection. I certainly will not be searching out their follow-up offering.