WORMWOOD

Bader Nana's Wormwood is a pay-what-you-will download available from the Kuwait-based musician's Bandcamp. Other releases available on his page include metal renditions of themes from computer game soundtracks and a collection of acoustic Michael Jackson covers, so I wasn't sure what to expect here; in fact, what you get is a charmingly realised album in a melodic prog vein reminiscent of the softer side of Ayreon.

Recorded at Bader's own studio in Kuwait City, evidently at the group's own expense, there are a few parts where more polish might have been helpful but on balance it's a very credible effort which makes me interested to hear more from Bader, though given how eclectic his other solo releases are I suspect it might be hard to predict when we'll hear more. Certainly, Bader does a good job of dipping his toe into the melodic side of Dream Theater's territory, but he doesn't offer a great many musical surprises in store here and for long stretches of the album you wouldn't know whether this was Bader Nana playing or Anonymous Mid-Atlantic Melodic Prog Band No. 254; hopefully future releases will display a bit more of a distinct personality.

Send comments to Warthur (BETA) | Report this review (#941113) | Review Permalink
Posted Monday, April 08, 2013

I just noticed that this album seems to have slipped under the radar and it is sad really. It is probably my favourite album by an unknown band in the last few years and blows many of the established band albums out of the water. This has so much going for it(apart from the fact that it was a free d ... (read more)

Report this review (#888077) | Posted by odinalcatraz | Saturday, January 05, 2013 | Review Permanlink

This album stayed in my speakers for quite some time when I first discovered it in 2012. Wormwood is a great piece in every way, accessible and entertaining, yet musical and progressive enough to keep its listener addicted. In my opinion this is one of the best albums of 2011. It is full of inter ... (read more)

Report this review (#887378) | Posted by Morsenator | Friday, January 04, 2013 | Review Permanlink

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