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DARK

Metamorphosis

Neo-Prog


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Metamorphosis Dark album cover
3.67 | 58 ratings | 7 reviews | 22% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

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Studio Album, released in 2009

Songs / Tracks Listing


1. Song for my son (8:22)
2. The fight is over (7:50)
3. Hey man (9:53)
4. I'm waking up (7:11)
5. Knowing all I do is worth ending (8:39)
6. You (6:30)
7. Where do we go (9:48)
8. Dark (3:12)

Total Time 61:25

Line-up / Musicians


- Jean Pierre-Schenk / vocals,drums,keyboards,virtual bass
- Olivier Guenat / guitars on 1,3,7
- Roger Burri / guitars on 2,4,5,6,8

Releases information

Galileo Records

Thanks to psarros for the addition
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METAMORPHOSIS Dark ratings distribution


3.67
(58 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(22%)
22%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(45%)
45%
Good, but non-essential (29%)
29%
Collectors/fans only (3%)
3%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

METAMORPHOSIS Dark reviews


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

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Tarcisio Moura
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars Well, this new CD from the swiss band Metamorphosis comes with some improvement over their last. This time they added some heavier guitars to the groupīs usual strongly Pink Flooyd influenced symphonic sound. But the first song is a bit misleading, I should say. The rest of the CD is pretty much like their previous ones. It is another concept album, very well done and played. Also as usual, mastermind Jean Pierre-Schenk does all the vocals, keyboards, drums and even īvirtualī bass (I guess he meant he used the bass notes on the keyboard for that).

Production is very good. The guitar solos are the highlight, very Gilmour-like, of course. The CD flows evenly. Nothing to write home about it, but good anyway. If you like PF around the time of The Wall and A Momentary Lapse Of Reason go for it. J P Schenke is a very talented guy, but he still has to come with a more personal sound if he is hoping this band will reach a higher level. Certainly they have the right influences and the chops. But songwriting-wise they still need to grow past their obvious idols nad do something their own. Dark is a nice CD, but not really essential. 3 stars.

Review by Windhawk
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars There are many positive facets to this fourth production by Swiss act Metamorphosis. Originality isn't among them though; the musical landscapes explored here will be highly familiar to most fans of the genre.

In these 8 tunes, most of them just a couple of minutes shy of being epics, the band takes their cues from late 70's Pink Floyd; where pleasant and relatively straightforward passages are spiced up with spacey fluctuating synth layers and organ in compositions starting of slow and gentle and then gradually evolving through several stages to end up as richly textured majestic excursions with more than a fair bit of pomposity thrown in for good measure.

To add some additional flavouring to the proceedings atmopsheric solo guitars and the occasional symphonic expression is thrown in to the sonic tapestry; in a style and manner pointing back to symphonic prog in general and the Neo variety of it in particular.

The songs are well made and performed; the themes and their developoment show good quality - and as long as you don't mind the overall derivative sound explored this is a good album, in particular if you like the idea of music inspired by late 70's Pink Floyd given a few symphonic embellishments.

Review by Epignosis
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
3 stars Based on this album, I might call Metamorphosis "IQ's little brother." There is an enormous number of similarities between those two groups, in both the sound and the style. Even the lead singer sounds a poor man's Peter Nicholls much of the time. While not necessarily a bad thing, this album is padded out with several extended solos, either from electric guitar or synthesizer, both of which outshine the compositions themselves.

"Song for My Son" A static electric guitar riff and flowing synthesizer serve as the spine of the opener. The lead guitar, of which there is plenty, is the real highlight, though.

"The Fight is Over" Mystical, bright synthesizer begins the second track. It moves between more open, electronic passages and gritty rock sections, both of which remain intense throughout. The robotic chanting annoys me, however.

"Hey Man" Electric piano and airy vocals start, but ninety seconds in, the music becomes decidedly heavier due in no small part to rapid drumming and an overdriven guitar. Several guitar and synthesizer solos ensue during an extended instrumental jam in 6/8.

"I'm Waking Up" This song has a simple acoustic guitar with a rather bland vocal melody and performance. It takes its time getting going, and when it does, it consists of a long guitar solo full of long notes.

"Knowing All I Do is Worth Ending" This is a so-so track with some excellent individual performances, but the piece as a whole drags and remains unmemorable. There's a bass groove that doesn't really mesh with the context of the overall piece, but it certainly adds variety. The ending, with that robotic voice, is ludicrous.

"You" Another simplistic acoustic guitar-based song, this has some dull lead vocals initially, but excellent vocals (with a great melody) once the song picks up with fresh drumming and electric guitar.

"Where Do We Go" After a hard-hitting introduction full of heavy guitar and organ padding, the guitarist takes an opportunity to really shine. Once he has finished, though, the piece becomes spacey, with odd noises from time to time, and then the band takes a moderate approach to bring in the vocals. "Dark" The title track is a brief song consisting of acoustic guitar and vocals. Of course, the song wouldn't belong on this album without a lengthy guitar solo.

Review by ZowieZiggy
PROG REVIEWER
4 stars After a long hiatus (four years) this band comes back with a nice release. Not fully symphonic because the band is mixing several musical styles (neo, symph, even prog metal at times). Still, this album could please fans from these three genres.

The opener "Song For My Son" holds each of these aspects. The second song "The Fight Is Over" is of simple structure and more (hard) rocking even if some Eastern influences add a special touch.

The longest song available "Hey Man" features each element I have outlined in my introduction. Melodic, prog metallic, symphonic: you get it all! A special mention for the guitar work. This song is a highlight and one of their all-time best. This "Dark" album is a very good surprise. Guitar is shining all the way through: "Knowing All I Do Is Worth Nothing" is another example. This one is somewhat "Genesis" oriented. The rock ballad "You" is also well performed and offers superb melodies and some great guitar breaks. It's a simple song in its structure but very catchy and pleasant. It is one of the most symphonic of the whole work.

The second longest song (for six second) is quite upbeat: the prog metal elements are plenty but this one is truly more prog than metal (on the contrary of the hordes of bands catalogued in this genre). The long instrumental intro (five minutes) is a real delight to listen to.

When vocals enter the scene, a definite "IQ" feel is invading. But the band shouldn't be blamed for that. They are pleasant and are merging with the music quite well. Again, the closing section is just perfect: sustained keyboards and wonderful guitar. It is another highlight.

This is a very good album. Even if it lasts for more than an hour, one doesn't feel like it since most of the songs are quite enjoyable. Four stars is my rating. This "Dark" album is easily their best one IMHHO. Well done guys! Recommended.

Review by kev rowland
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Reviewer
3 stars Metamorphosis is the brainchild of Swiss multi-instrumentalist Jean-Pierre Schenk who on this album provides vocals, keyboards, drums and bass and is joined by two guitarists, Olivier Guenat and Roger Burri. This is his fourth album, and was released in 2009. His other albums saw him being inspired very heavily by Pink Floyd but this album sees him stretch a little further and move away from the late Seventies feel that he previously favoured. 'Dark' is an interesting title, as it is the movement between dark and light that makes this album so interesting to listen to as there is just one contrast after another. There may be gentle vocals and repeated almost single finger keyboard motifs, but in the background there can be frenetic riffing that would be more in keeping with Malmsteen than Gilmour.

There is a great many layers in the music, and it is this that is still most in keeping with Floyd, but it can be argued that this has more in common with Porcupine Tree (especially), IQ and even Galahad at times. There is a real depth and purpose to the music, and although at times some of the melodies can be a little simplistic the overall impression is that this is a really enjoyable album. It certainly benefits from repeated plays and is a step forward from his previous albums. Well worth investigating.

Latest members reviews

5 stars This melodic symphonic rock band from Switzerland lead by the composer, vocalist, keyboardist and drummer Jean-Pierre Schenk, is getting better and better. Upon listenting to their previous albums, I've been expecting that some day they could reach the top. This is done with "Dark".! I real ... (read more)

Report this review (#217737) | Posted by inrainbows | Saturday, May 23, 2009 | Review Permanlink

4 stars I have read reviews were they comment this album shows that Metamorphosis is strongly influenced by Pink Floyd, Eloy and Satellite. That may be right but farly. The most influential band in my opinion is Porcupine Tree. I think is so much influenced by Porcupine Tree that with this album demo ... (read more)

Report this review (#215704) | Posted by robbob | Thursday, May 14, 2009 | Review Permanlink

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