AIKA

The RUSH influenced Finnish heavy prog band Subspace Radio made two albums, the eponymous debut (2004) and Random Ticket (2007) before collapsing in 2010. Now they're back, and this time the vocals are sung by featuring guests, not by anyone in the group. A bit strangely the album title (aika means time) is in Finnish although all lyrics are in English.

'Suite Subspace' is a dynamic prog instrumental and functions very well as the opener. 'Last Call' turns out to be rather heavy-sounding song featuring the strong vocals of Annica Milán. A new name to me, she's had some success in various vocal contests in Finland and has worked in musicals. Not exactly a voice up to my taste. She returns for the fourth track 'Everything' which also contains heavy, metallic guitar sounds. The keyboards on the album give the music both needed brightness and a certain prog metal feel.

Kimmo Blom (b. 1970), rock vocalist whose CV includes playing Freddie Mercury's role in Queen musicals, is featured on 'The Day of the Brightest Colors' and 'Radio Silence', both pretty convincing heavy prog songs. In general the Rush influences -- especially the 80's Rush -- have decreased and the band has stepped more boldly into the prog metal territory. To me personally that's not so good. Have to say this album is way too heavy and restlessly powerful for my liking. This becomes most clear on two tracks with the very metal oriented vocals of Timo Heinonen.

The progressive highlight is the instrumental three-part final piece 'Exit (Purola)' (12:28) in which Leo Kylätasku guests on trumpet. Again, I'd prefer it to be less heavy. But if you enjoy well produced hybrid of tight prog rock and prog metal, this powerful album is worth recommending.

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