IMAGINE

I got interested in this band after I heard the streamsong on this site. That song was from their debut in 2001 and I had never heard of the band. But checking out their latest I think the streamsong was a pretty good example of what this band is capable of. And looking at the ratings of these two albums (2001 & 2005) I think I might have picked the right one here.

The opening (title) track immediately gets you in the right mood. This is pretty accessible prog metal (well many proggers say all prog metal is accessible so it's actually a pleonasm) but who cares as long as it sounds great. Second track, Alive is even a bit better with great instrumental contribution (solos).

Endeavor to Persevere is the first of the two instrumentals, another one with almost mindblowing passages of both guitar and keys. Let's not forget excellent drumming also. This band likes to play fast and so do I.

How Far is a little bit slower, a slightly ballad like song with good vocal contribution. Another very fine composition I believe. Stride proves with this track that they can also play the great atmospheric style. At times they remind me of a Def Leppard like sound, it tends toward the eighties rock but surely it's more complex and more inventive. Great track this.

Role model is the longest track of the album. It starts fairy-like first notes but the rough guitars disturb the fairly tale. Never mind, heavy drums taking the thing to metal standard before it all quiets down again and takes the ballad turn all over sudden. A song full of surprises you might say. Piano like keys accompany the vocals and the song transforms once again into an average prog metal track, well not average in the meaning of mediocre more like a usual one, but not cliche or cheap. Versatile track is the best description all in all. This one has it all and is one of the highlights to me without becoming really outstanding.

The Waiting is another mix of sensitivity and true prog metal of the best sort, this band has the ability to change the mood within the songs several times without problem. I think it works really nice. Main thing is they play their music excellent, the songs run really smooth, these guys know their job for sure. It's hard to compare them with one of the famous prog metal bands. Except for the vocal aspect they sound a bit like Evergrey, more or less same style, same high quality.

Ion Drive is the second instrumental and is like the first one where the speed is concerned. Needless to say that the instrumental tracks are also a big quality of Stride. They are not really long but they are pretty impressive nonetheless.

And if you think the best part is behind us at this point, wrong ! The album closes with two more longish excellent tracks, Face the Day and Time (the last minute of this track reminds me of the last minute of Giant by Saga from their Beginners Guide album. If this is coincidence it's funny because the resemblance is huge !). This means there are no fillers allowed with this band, a feature I really appreciate. I'm not a fan of half good/half poor albums, don't like having to skip songs during an album.

No need for that with Stride and I think that the conclusion for this album can only be a positive one. Only downside to me is the length of total playing time. Only 50 minutes, I like the 70 minute cases so that's a slight minus. It will not prevent me from giving it 4 solid stars.