KNOWLEDGE

I only came across this band recently, they are a mixture of art rock with hints of metal with some occasional Glass Hammer-like keyboards. This is their most recent album released in 2005 and gives you 80 odd minutes of music including 3 20-minute epics in "Came the Healer", "Motherland" and "Ode to Man". The music itself is reminiscent of other US prog bands such as Salem Hill and the afore-mentioned Glass Hammer, so will appeal to fans of those two bands. The bass sound is a bit "plonky", much like Glass Hammer's "The Inconsolable Secret" but generally the sound and production is good, albeit occasionally a bit "dry", and the band are all excellent instrumentalists. The vocals are of good quality. The music varies from the short acoustic number "Between Images Flesh and Shadows " to the tongue-twistingly titled "Precariously Poised on the Precipice of Pandemonium" which is a good riffy number, to the 3 epics.

Whilst there's nothing startling original here, you get strong melodies and instrumental flair and, as I said, it should appeal to all fans of the US "AOR" prog school.

Oops...I'm a bit late with my First Review Competition - already reviewed! ;)

AFTER THE FALL is just another New Symphonic Prog band. Don't take it as an offence, but they don't suggest ANYTHING new to the genre, mostly playing long tracks (lacking both in melodical gift and creative side) for the sake of its length, with noticable influences from FLOWER KINGS, GLASS HAMMER and mildest from DREAM THEATER. Not dark, not challenging - you can find also a lot of AOR attitude here. Not recommended, even though this is NOT BAD - personally I've had enough of bands of that kind.

Having bombarded myself with heavy side of progressive music with sort of heavy riffs typically produced by progressive metal bands, I find it relaxing turn my attention to symphonic prog band like AFTER THE FALL. Well, that's my first reaction when I first listened to the music of the band. Obviously there are three tracks with very long duration - approx 20 minutes - plus some shorter tracks. The way I see the album is quite ambitious in style as the band seems like blending many elements of prog music spanning from symphonic, neo prog and a bit flavors of progressive metal. When talking about neo prog, one might expect something catchy and melodic from the vocal or instrument solo, while on symphonic style one might expect something with grandiose symphony emulated from the instruments with certain nuance.

To give you a bit of understanding about After The Fall music, imagine a combined styles of Pallas, IQ, Camel and a bit of Fates Warning in the music of this album. The opening track "Came the Healer" is one of long duration tracks which consume 19:20 minutes of your listening time. It flows through a combined notes and chords produced from keyboard, guitar backed with bass and drums. It's quite good for those of you have been familiar with symphonic prog or in fact neo progressive rock. There are well balanced instrumental solo like guitar in the middle of the track followed beautifully with keyboard solo. Some musical segments remind me to the music of IQ even though it's less melodic. There is of course benefit for not implanting catchy / melodic parts in the song because it will last longer in the mind of the listener. However, the risk is that the song is not that catchy compared to other counterpart neo prog bands. The first track gives an image of relatively complex structure throughout the song with different styles of music.

"The Call" (7:54) sounds like a ballad with acoustic guitar as main rhythm section augmented by keyboard. Electric guitar also delivers its solo right after middle of the track.

"Motherland" is an epic with 20:43 duration which comprises five parts: i) Motherland ii) A Call To Arms iii) Battle Cry iv) The Realm v) In The Arms Of Love. It starts with something heavy music with symphonic style. The song moves in similar manner like the opening track with upbeat tempo at the beginning part combining the work of keyboard as main rhythm section accompanying vocal line augmented by guitar solo during the vocal part. I believe this is the song about national pride where the band tries to remind that the nation is calling you (the people) home. There is a bit of Yes style here in this track plus some IQ / Pallas styles as well. There is a musical break at minute 5:55 followed with ELP like keyboard style at 6:00 followed with musical interlude.

"Between Images Flesh And Shadows" (2:49) has a nice acoustic guitar fills followed by vocal power in mellow style. This short track seems like a bridge to connect to the next track "Precariously Poised On The Precipice Of Pandemonium" (7:35) which starts with solo drums followed by music riffs. The keyboard solo is stunning.

The concluding track "Ode To Man" (19:40) is another epic track with four parts: i) Did You Know? ii) The Family iii) The Race iv) Reflections. It's another good track with good flow from start to end, exploring multi styles throughout the track. The acoustic guitar work is good, followed with full blast of music with dynamic way.

Overall, this is a good addition to any prog music collection which mostly favor those who like symphonic and neo prog music. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW