I AM

The first sign of life of this UK band featuring Rick Wakeman's son Adam - who is handling ... what? ... the keyboards of course. 'I Am' is an EP consisting of four songs which are constantly crossing the art rock and prog metal border. Oh yes ... I should not forget to mention Damian Wilson here who also contributed to bands like Landmarq and Threshold respectively diverse other projects. Both already had another collaboration by the way - for the band Jeronimo Road in the 90s. And bassist Lee Pomeroy is actually also involved in It Bites. Now this points to the fact that HEADSPACE holds prolific musicians - which is not always a guarantee for an excellent output though.

This time it is - so much about the first summary. Here we have catchy melodic songs which are surely placed in contrast to a plain heavy rock attitude. Never Let Go starts as the most accessible one I would say - however the song foreshadows the trickiness of this production by all means with changing time signatures, a remarkable refrain and prog metal adapted riffing guitars. Adam Wakeman puts in some interesting modern synth contributions but nevertheless takes a backseat here in the whole. Sane Life starts like a ballad, relaxed with electric piano and acoustic guitar, but then switches to a nice groove - Wilson is at his best here - charming as well as expressive - including some symphonic impressions - great!

Presented in a (modern) art rock outfit Symbol shows guitarist Pete Rinaldi contributing more than metal riffs and Sober finally culminates to the furious finale - alternating between balladesque and powerfully implemented parts. Yeah - this is partially damn rocking! 'I Am' is a production with really enjoyable songs - great musicanship - Adam Wakeman plays his instruments accentuated, multi-faceted. If produced as an appetizer this makes curious for more in any case - I hope something will follow. If you are interested in sophisticated heavy (prog) rock music you shouldn't miss that - recommended!

Released some five years before their debut album, 'I AM' is the 2007 debut EP by English progressive metal band Headspace, fronted by Damian Wilson, and featuring the talents of Adam Wakeman handling all the keyboards, guitar player Pete Rinaldi, bassist Lee Pomeroy, and drummer Rich Brook (the same five-piece band that did 2012's 'I Am Anonymous'). The style of this four-track extended play is precisely what one might expect from the band upon hearing their debut album (or even their sophomore release) - melodic progressive rock with heavy guitars, upfront riffs, dazzling keyboard leads and occasional acoustic interludes. All of this is topped by the excellent production on any Headspace release as well as the fine songwriting, emotional depth and instrumental intricacies that these Englishmen do offer.

Opening track 'Never Let Go' is the most conventional song on this EP, definitely a more accessible progressive metal number with a strong chorus and flamboyant riffs, or in a word, nothing overly mind-blowing. 'Sane Life' then starts off rather softly and we have a lovely interplay between the acoustic guitars and the stabs of electric piano in the beginning, as the songs then follows with a fine groove and some tremendous vocals from Damian Wilson. Wakeman also manages to grace the song with some symphonic notes that work quite well in this set-up. Third track 'Symbol' features some heavier guitars and introduces a more alternative rock flair to the EP - this is a good example of the strong songwriting of the band. Final track 'Sober' impresses with its Yes-like vocal harmonies and quirky acoustic interludes, and with its eight minutes of running time stands as the most sophisticated and melodic piece on here. Headspace really do manage to craft an intelligent mixture of melodic progressive rock with heavy tendencies here, as the music does not necessarily go into a prog metal direction all the time, and this four-track debut EP is the perfect taster for what this five-piece band is best at.