OPPORTUNITIES OF TOMORROW

Dutch band Nem-Q (the name is derived from the latin 'namque' which means 'truly/really') delivers a guitar and vocal dominated album with some references to bands like TOOL, RIVERSIDE or DREAM THEATER. Originally being influenced by styles like grunge, jazz and metal doom they some time discovered prog rock and began to compose songs with the emphasis on heavy art rock. This self-released debut album was brought to the light in 2007 and shows some musical talents, especially those of guitarist Paul Sieven who also has a quite good accentless voice.

Starting with a middle-eastern flair the opener Ignorant soon developes to a Tool alike song - good but not one of the most unique tracks of the album. They are put off 'til the middle beginning with Another promise containing a nice groove and some tricky twists and turns resp. changes in speed. River shows some heavier riffs in a prog metal mood combined with a catchy main melody. My favourite is the instrumentally happy flavoured Comin' round - an example of inventive songwriting with tricky twin-guitar work starting soft melodic later fading to heavy rocking. This is interesting, gripping and somewhat forward-looking ...

They get it right with the aforementioned songs - on the other hand 'Opportunities Of Tomorrow' lacks of some more inspirations for the chance to be recommended to every prog music fan - it sounds a little bit colourless in the whole. Guitars and even the vocals are often too dominant according to my taste. More scopes for the other band members, the keyboards for example, would be nice and hopefully this will be realized with the second album which they are working on - 2.5 stars.