CHIMERA

The Swedish has done it again, another masterpiece from Martin Hedin and Johan Reinholdz. While in Denmark, people dealing with cartoon, in Sweden the prog metal is alive. Andromeda got most of the attention with the previous album II=I which was awesome. Andromeda's music was always complex,challenging and melodic, and that what makes them one of the best prog metal bands today. Unlike other bands who just try to sound like Dream Theater, Andromeda which is definitely influenced by DT, is creating a unique and innovative prog metal in this album again. In this album the band presents the new bass player, Fabian Gustavsson, who used to play extreme metal, but he fitted himself very well to the prog metal. Johan Reinholdz, with the touch of Petrucci, is in my opinion the future of the prog metal guitarists. He combines aggressiveness but also softness,feel and amazing technique, with a coherent composing that brings us pleasure. The music takes us to wonderful musical destinations. There is no stagnation but freshness all the time. This is not a prog metal who is just about to show off with the technique, but much more than that. The developement of songs is impressive - different scales all the time, rhythm changes, heavy and mellow riffs, and magnificent solos by Hedin and Reinholdz. If the previous album sounded a bit heavier for you, you don't have to worry, because this album is a bit softer and we the meolodies, it's a prog metal masterpiece. The intensivness of the first song, Periscope, leaves you with an open mouth, a perfect start for the album. The second song, In the End, reminds me the brilliant song II=I, its melody catches you immediately. The Cage of Me, release the chains from you and let the adrenaline to flood your body. Inner Circle is another great track, I warmly recommend you to listen to it. The album is finished with a live version of the instrumental track , Chameleon Carnival , and for me it's a circle closure, as this was the first track of Andromeda i've heard a couple of years ago, and it made really excited about their music. Andromeda is definitely deserves to have a bigger crowd, and i'm sure that this album will give them the big boost!!!