ECHOES IN TIME

US based band Port Mahadia has made a very promising debut album with Echoes in Time.

A concept album telling a salty sea story may not be what one might expect from a band based in Kentucky, but these guys pull this one off quite nicely. The compositions are mixed in style, with quite a few ballads, some shorter mood pieces and some tracks where the band really rock out, verging on prog metal in style. High class guitar work and excellent symphonic keyboard textures are dominating traits, violins courtesy of David Ragsdale appear on several tracks to enhance mood and atmosphere, and as a solid foundation on all tracks you'll find a solid bass line and neat drumming.

The only element lacking are killer tunes; most songs here are very good but lack that slight element that would make them extraordinary. Still, a good and solid album that fans of symphonic prog rock should check out.

'Echoes in Time' is a concept album by a new prog project built around guitarist Cameron Castle and bass player Erinn Waggoner with the emphasis on melodic heavy art rock. Best-known member for me is singer Damian Wilson who returned back to THRESHOLD in July 2007. But he's not the only one to be responsible for the vocal parts. The name PORT MAHADIA is pointing out to the maritime story. That's not all of it. The cover is showing a sailing ship on the high sea, synths are serving a night surf for example and strings imitate seagulls like on the opener Prologue.

Possible centerpiece is the epic I Of The Storm with a complex song structure - embracing all the facets the album has to offer. Guitars varying with a bandwith from mainstream to metall riffing, melodic vocal dominated parts including an episode remembering at Jeff Wayne's 'War Of The World' sprechgesang. The other songs are solid - you will find balladesque parts headed by acoustic guitar, female vocals, cello and violin. But all in all the album is dominated by rocking themes based on a good rhythm section and a lot of guitar variations.

A brave output whereas I'm missing edgy moments, the unique worthwile gimmicks. Because of some transitions to the symphonic department probably a good find for Kansas and Proto-Kaw fans.