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THE LOTUS EFFECT

Sun Caged

Progressive Metal


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Sun Caged The Lotus Effect album cover
3.86 | 57 ratings | 7 reviews | 25% 5 stars

Excellent addition to any
prog rock music collection

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Studio Album, released in 2011

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Seamripper (& The Blanket Statement) (8:13)
2. Tip-Toe the Fault-Line (6:57)
3. Ashes to Ear (5:18)
4. Shades of Hades (5:43)
5. Reductio Ad Absurdum (6:18)
6. On Again / Off Again (7:25)
7. Lotus (6:17)
8. Pareidolized (The Ocean in the Shell) (10:00)
9. Parasol (1:43)
10. Wave the Banner (1:41)
11. Fish Afraid of Drowning (2:14)
12. Moebius Knot (2:26)
13. Full Circle (1:55)
14. Let It Wash Away (The Lotus Effect) (5:49)

Total Time 71:59

Line-up / Musicians

- Paul Adrian Villarreal / vocals & guitars
- Marcel Coenen / guitars
- Daniel Kohn / bass
- Rene kroon / keyboards
- Roel Van Helden / drums

Releases information

Label: Lion
Release date: June 17, 2011

Thanks to b_olariu for the addition
and to progshine for the last updates
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SUN CAGED The Lotus Effect ratings distribution


3.86
(57 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(25%)
25%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(39%)
39%
Good, but non-essential (19%)
19%
Collectors/fans only (12%)
12%
Poor. Only for completionists (5%)
5%

SUN CAGED The Lotus Effect reviews


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

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars Well I must confess disappointment with this latest album from SUN CAGED. I loved the first two and really thought this one would continue the streak. From the cover art to how mellow this often is with the vocals being the focus this is a let down. At times we get probably some of their heaviest work but they are brief and often loud and noisy. Mostly this seems to focus on the lyrics like most concept albums do. And at 72 minutes this is too long.

"Seam Ripper (& The Blanket Statement)" is experimental and mellow to start. Like you want to turn it up, then bang ! That loud and noisy sound kicks in. It does level out quickly though with vocals coming in after 1 1/2 minutes.This reminds me of ENCHANT only a little heavier.

"Tip-Toe The Fault-Line" is heavy to start and vocals come in around a minute as it settles back.The riffs kick back in though. Drums lead then synths after 3 1/2 minutes when the vocals stop. Guitar is next then the vocals return.

"Ashes To Ear" opens with piano then a nice crunchy sound comes in.Vocals follow then a guitar solo 3 minutes in followed by piano.Vocals are back.

"Shades Of Hades" is heavy with processed vocals early. A bass / drum solo before 2 minutes then the vocals return with a full sound. "Reductio Ad Absurdum" is a mellow ENCHANT-like song. "On Again / Off Again" kicks in right away and vocals and piano arrive before a minute.

"Lotus" is the one song that i really enjoy. Reserved vocals early and I really like when the sound gets fuller. Atmosphere ends it. "Parlidolized (The Ocean In The Shell)" is laid back with vocals a minute in. Heaviness comes and goes.The relaxed guitar solo around 4 1/2 minutes is good.

The next five short tracks blend into one another until we get to the closer "Let It Wash Away (The Lotus Effect)". Piano and vocals to start.It picks up before a minute and does get a little heavier later.

I'm thankful to have their first two albums but this one unfortunately doesn't measure up.

Review by b_olariu
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars The lotus effect is the last offer to date of this dutch prog metal band. Released in 2011 at same LionMusic, this album was something of a let down from previous one. I mean this not bad at all but far from greatneass of previous album Artemisa. Another long album clocking around 70 min overall, this time Sun Caged optain for a crunchier and more heavier passages in places. The voice is again good, the solos of Coenen are ok, the drums ok, then what's missing? I guess solid and captivating song writting, they all handle the instruments very well but is not enough, is needed memorable and intresting passages to be found. Here on this album almost all pieces sound the same, and because they incorporated in some parts heavier sections is not totaly for my kind , really. Anyway some good tunes are present like Tip-Toe the Fault-Line , a very strong prog metal piece with blistering keyboards are faultless musicianship, another worthy one is On Again/Off Again, the rest are ok but nothing more. So overall 3 stars for this new Sun Caged album, less intresting and enjoyble then previous one Artemisia.
Review by Second Life Syndrome
PROG REVIEWER
5 stars Amazing. Fantastic. Spellbinding. No matter what word I use, it does not adequately define this album. This was the first album from Sun Caged that I had ever heard, and I have been completely floored by them! Honestly, the album artwork is a little strange for my tastes, and I actually let it deter me for a while. Yet, the fantastic mix of heavy riffing, technical but not over-powering drums, melodic and epic keyboards, and absolutely unbeatable vocals is difficult to beat---I am so glad that I finally gave it a chance. There is a certain something that this band has---something that I cannot put my finger on---that just sounds so fresh and unique.

My personal favorites are "Shades of Hades" and "The 8 Auspicious Symbols" (the last 8 tracks on this album which are actually a 24 minute song). Every song---and I mean every---on this album is a master work. I especially love how the vocalist pieces together the lyrics----just expert in every sense of the word. I'm also a big fan of the keyboards, especially in track "Pareidolized".

I have read some reviews that claim that the music in the first few tracks is jumbled or incoherent, but I am not quite sure what they mean. This is a progressive metal album, and if the heaviness is too much (though it isn't that heavy), I suggest one should switch genres. The first track, "Seamripper" features some amazing drum work that could be a little overbearing, but the melody of the music and the vocals easily balances this. As it is, this album features a myriad of tempo changes, harmonizing vocals, crunching guitars as well as well-done solos, audible rhythmic bass, and keyboards that provide an amazing atmosphere and vibe. Add to this a brainy theme of using scientific terms to discuss human mortality and depravity, and you have an album that deserves some recognition.

Latest members reviews

5 stars The lotus effect was a complete masterpiece to me from the first song seam ripper to the last. The progressions in every song were well thought out and blended really well together. Once again Marcel coenen shows how awesome he is with interesting riffs and solos that complement the singer so ... (read more)

Report this review (#1136678) | Posted by GenericName1 | Monday, February 24, 2014 | Review Permanlink

3 stars Sun Caged's second album in this format (and third overall) is close to its predecessor, Artemisia, - moderately progressive, moderately paced, moderately heavy, moderately..., well, keeping accessibility in mind. Maybe slightly more "colorful" - fuller sound, more solos and diverse keys. But is pla ... (read more)

Report this review (#1052439) | Posted by Progrussia | Thursday, October 3, 2013 | Review Permanlink

5 stars For me Sun Caged's 2007 release 'Artemesia' was going to be a tough act to follow. It contained absolutely everything that appealed to my prog metal sensibilities and for me is right up there with the latest releases of Dream Theater and Symphony X et al. Thus I waited with (...somewhat pro ... (read more)

Report this review (#487713) | Posted by Jacobim | Wednesday, July 20, 2011 | Review Permanlink

5 stars I have been following Sun Caged for a while now, and before this album always thought they were a band that had a lot of potential, but that's as far as I would have taken it. Well, I'm happy to say that when I heard this album, I was convinced that this was potential realized. This is a fantastic e ... (read more)

Report this review (#469267) | Posted by dtguitarfan | Saturday, June 25, 2011 | Review Permanlink

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