ANSWERS

Ascension Theory is the project who turned to be in the end a real band formed by two ex members of the defunct prog metal Aztec Jade. Aztec Jade disbanded in fall of 2002 and the main composers of the band Timothy Becker from keys and the vocalist Leon Ozug decided to form another band. So the've started the Ascension Theory. Their first record was from 2004 and was nothing really special in prog metal zone, but not a bad album for sure. The second release, the one I'm gonna talk here is Answers from 2005. Again not realy something never heared befor, but as whole a plesant album. The voice of Ozug is the cherry on the cake here, who is capable to make some real good moments like on the opening piece Passion of My Heart , Perfect Plan and Saturn's reign, great voice and very underrated. The prog metal offered here is typical american , they have an american sound easy to recognize, in places they've toying with postmetal. They are close to Dream Theater in places and even some traces of Aztec Jade or Shadow Gallery, but those bands are much better, at least for me, and they are less complex and complicated than those bands. Anyway this album is not bad, but is not special either, 3 stars for Answers. The cover art is excellent, realy great. If you want to discover prog metal bands who for some reason didn't make it in prog metal zone, try this one, worth a couple of spins.

3.5 stars. I found this album a little frustrating because it starts off so well with three great tunes then we a good one followed by a ballad. Next up are two tracks with a guest female vocalist I don't like, then a male vocalist i'm not fond of on the following song. I like the last two songs as well but they're not as good as the first three. Love the cover art which goes so well with the album's title. As b olariu mentions the vocals really are the cherry on the cake here, which is why it's so disappointing to have guest vocals that aren't nearly as good.

"Passion Of My Heart" opens with synths washing in then the riffs arrive followed by vocals. Great sound ! "Lockstep" has some good bottom end here with vocals. Just a feel good track for me. Synths then some blistering guitar 2 1/2 minutes in. "Perfect Plan" opens with atmosphere galore then the music kicks in before a minute. Vocals follow. Excellent tune. "Saturn's Reign" opens with heavy riffs as synths then vocals come in. The tempo picks up around a minute and continues to shift throughout. Good song. "To Be Content" is the dreaded ballad but they do a really good job with it.

"The Way Of Death" opens with a dark atmosphere and FLOYD-like synths running rampant. A heavy beat then riffs follow. It all goes down hill when the female vocals arrive. "Decisions" has a heavy beat with vocals before a minute. Female vocals 2 minutes in. A calm with piano 3 1/2 minutes in. The guitar soars after 4 minutes. "End Game" has a guest male vocalist that I really don't like. It's still a pretty good track though. "Refractions" is a very cool tune because it sounds nothing like the rest. Piano to open in a very relaxed enviroment. Guitar comes in very laid back then piano ends it. "Answers" kicks in heavily before a minute. Some nice guitar before 5 minutes.

If your into Prog-Metal I do think you should check this out. So much to like here, I just feel it's spoiled by the guest vocalists.