SOLSTICE COIL

2.5 stars.This is a good to average release imo.The vocalist sounds very much at times like the vocalist from RAVANA,which is not my cup of tea at all.Best tracks are "Even Poets Die",where the vocals are acceptible to these ears,also there are some nice guitar lines laid down."Accidents" stands out as too,getting quite intense after a mellow beginning."A Prescription for Paper Cuts" is not essential by any means,but not bad either.

I was really surprised to discover this band, just near my house. A good Israeli band is not something frequent, progressive or not. I saw them on stage, and really enjoyed. They where consolidated, played tough, tight and strong. Above all was the prominent voice of the vocalist Shir Deutch. They sold their first CD, "A Prescription for paper cuts" in a very low price, so I bought it without hesitation. While listening to the album I discovered more interesting arrangements, with keyboards and saxophone, without abandon the very good guitars and drums work, and understood better the whole atmosphere. Their main influences taken from Radiohead, Marillion, and sound something between those bands, with their own original style. In addition, there are some Israeli influences (not the eastern ones). The melodies are catchy, intricate and interesting. The strong point at this band is the vocalist Shir Deutch. He has wide range of tones, impressive high tones and precise pitch, while being very emotional and expressing himself very well.

The overall environment of this album is something like urban depression. Its ok, but sometime there is a feeling that the album is not flowing enough, little stuck here and there. It's a lack, but it is not suppose to ruin the overall experience of the album listening.

The two opening tracks, "Photosensitivity" and "Selling smoke" are excellent. "Photosensitivity" opened in quite piano and the nice vocals of Shir, and well developed into a more aggressive and rhythmic section. It continues to move nice between those two sections. The second track "Selling smoke" begins in a strong guitar riff, than the toms come in, and again Shir just doing this track with his high unique voice. It continues to develop very well. From the tracks that come after, I liked very much "Anyone can be", which is hidden near the end of the album. It is a moveing song with very good melody. The rest of the tracks are good also, there is no weak track on this album.

So it is definitely recommended to Israelians among us, I hope other proggers will be interested in this band as well. Wish them success in Israel as well as the rest of the "progressive world".