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MENTAL TORMENTS

Spheric Universe Experience

Progressive Metal


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Spheric Universe Experience Mental Torments album cover
4.13 | 86 ratings | 5 reviews | 28% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

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Studio Album, released in 2005

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. So Cold (6:09)
2. Now or Never (7:06)
3. Burning Box Gala (6:21)
4. Saturated Brain (7:42)
5. Moonlight (6:04)
6. Halleygretto (2:42)
7. Mental Torments (15:29) :
- Pt. 1: Solitude
- Pt. 2: Reminiscence
- Pt. 3: Losing Control
- Pt. 4: Inner Peace
8. Sidereal Revolution (6:41) *
- Pt. 1: Solstice
- Pt. 2: Equinoxe
9. Echoes of the Stars (10:51)

Total Time 69:05

* bonus track (USA only)

Line-up / Musicians

- Vince Benaim / guitars
- John Drai / bass
- Fred Colombo / keyboards
- Franck Garcia / vocals
- Volodia Brice / drums

Releases information

CD Replica (2005)
CD Nightmare (2005)

Thanks to TheProgtologist for the addition
and to projeKct for the last updates
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SPHERIC UNIVERSE EXPERIENCE Mental Torments ratings distribution


4.13
(86 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(28%)
28%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(44%)
44%
Good, but non-essential (19%)
19%
Collectors/fans only (9%)
9%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

SPHERIC UNIVERSE EXPERIENCE Mental Torments reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by apps79
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
5 stars Outstanding album!!!!!This Frenchmen teach the universe how progressive metal should be played...They have the complexity of DREAM THEATER,the melody of SHADOW GALLERY,the heaviness and technique of ZERO HOUR and the intelligence of PAIN OF SALVATION...but most important...they know how to compose progressive,complex songs and not simply to show their skills...A masterpiece of the prog metal scene,a memorable album...
Review by Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars France isn't a country you would usually associate with Prog-Metal but SPHERIC UNIVERSE EXPERIENCE is out to change that. These guys are definitely as good as advertised. Very melodic with a good singer (Engish) and lots of heaviness. Lets just say that as a long time Prog-Metal fan these guys make me proud. I can't say it any better then that.

"So Cold" powers up fairly quickly with a nice heavy and rich sound. Synths and vocals before a minute. The vocals get passionate before 2 minutes as contrasts continue. I like the crunchy riffs. Nice chunky bass too followed by synths as the heaviness continues.The guitar rips it up too. "Now Or Ever" opens with keyboards before a powerful instrumental display takes over. A calm with synths after a minute. Drums and vocals join in. A nice heavy instrumental section with keys after 3 minutes. Passionate vocals follow. A good crunchy sound 5 1/2 minutes in before a long guitar solo ends it. "Burning Box Gala" sounds cool to open before a crushing soundscape takes over. Nice. Riffs with piano 2 minutes in as synths wash in. Lots of time changes here before a stampede of drums comes crashing in. I like the synths too. An amazing instrumental ! Check out the drum work early in "Saturated Brain" ! I like the opening guitar too. Synths roll in. Vocals a minute in. It settles with piano 2 minutes in but not for long ! Contrasts continue. Blistering guitar before 6 minutes. Vocals are back before 7 minutes. An all out assault ends it.

"Moonlight" opens with keys and drums. Synths and vocals follow. A thunderous attack before 1 1/2 minutes. How good is this 2 minutes in ! Ripping guitar after 3 1/2 minutes. Synths wash in. Piano and spoken words end it. "Halleygretto" opens with piano as drums and synths join in.The tempo picks up as guitar and heaviness follows. "Mental Torments" is the 15 1/2 minute title track. It opens fairly heavily with deep bass and drums. Vocals and synths after 1 1/2 minutes. The guitar comes flying in at 6 minutes. Killer rhythm section here as well. It's spacey 7 minutes in. Piano and vocals change that after 8 minutes then it kicks in again. Spacey synths and drums before 10 minutes. Heavy again as the tempo and mood continues to change. I like when it fades out then comes back in to end it. "Echoes Of The Stars" opens with thunder and rain as guitar and keys come in. Drums and synths follow in this laid back tune. Vocals 2 minutes in. It's heavier 4 1/2 minutes in. Guitar solo before 7 1/2 minutes. Great sound a minute later to end it.

I highly recommend "Mental Torments" to all you Prog-Metal fans out there.

Latest members reviews

4 stars A fine English wine, as well as a fine French prog band, have been a joke in the minds of European and American citizens alike for years. This CD is great, it's very entertaining and has lots of good riffs. Here's a sound sketch of the band: Vanden Plas type vocals Kevin Moore piano parts me ... (read more)

Report this review (#221599) | Posted by mindsmoothie | Wednesday, June 17, 2009 | Review Permanlink

4 stars Nice album, the more heavy side of progrock from France, and no accent. Maybe the voice is best compared to John Olivia, strong and clear. The music is difficult to compare, maybe a little Spocks Beard with a heavier guitar. Very nice keyboards, spheric (what's in a name). This is no waste of ... (read more)

Report this review (#108978) | Posted by Hét LICHAAM | Friday, January 26, 2007 | Review Permanlink

5 stars Finally they add SUE to the archives, this album and this band is amazing, their music complexity and emotion is what makes this band what they are, if you like Dream Theater, Symphony X, Shadow Gallery or Andromeda you should give it a try to this album and buy it, you wont regret it, PROMISE ... (read more)

Report this review (#107671) | Posted by patomtz | Tuesday, January 16, 2007 | Review Permanlink

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