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STRANGE LAND

Progressive Metal • United States


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Strange Land picture
Strange Land biography
STRANGE LAND is a trio that was born in Milwaukee,Wisconsin in 1998 and joined together former members of the bands LABYRINTH and FISHBOY.Members Chad Novell (bass,keyboards,vocals), Sean Gill (guitars) and Brad Klotz (drums) wrote and arranged 11 original songs within six months and four of them appeared on their "Foundation" demo.
In 2002 STRANGE LAND released their first full-length debut "Anomaly".After the recording but before the release of their debut drummer Brad Klotz left the band to pursue other career interests.
Pete Schwarzenbacher took over behind the kit and Strange Land went back into the studio and in 2005 released their sophomore album "Blaming Season".
Describing their music as "Neo Prog Metal",STRANGE LAND's sound features a nice mix of diverse influences such as FATES WARNING, SAVATAGE, RUSH, ZERO HOUR, PAIN OF SALVATION, and GALACTIC COWBOYS and are highly recommended to all progressive metal fans.



Why this artist must be listed in www.progarchives.com :
This band has been approved by the Progressive Metal team of Special Collaborators



Discography:
Anomaly, studio album (2002)
Blaming Season, studio album (2005)
...

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STRANGE LAND discography


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STRANGE LAND top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.39 | 3 ratings
Anomaly
2001
3.63 | 4 ratings
Blaming Season
2005
4.00 | 1 ratings
Catharsis
2009
2.13 | 4 ratings
∆v
2014
4.00 | 3 ratings
Figuration Of Hope: Impact Event Part One
2017
0.00 | 0 ratings
Galactic Drift: Impact Event Part Two
2018

STRANGE LAND Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

STRANGE LAND Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

STRANGE LAND Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

STRANGE LAND Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

0.00 | 0 ratings
Foundation (Demo)
1999
0.00 | 0 ratings
Catharsis Song - One Long Track
2010
4.50 | 2 ratings
Evagation
2016

STRANGE LAND Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 ∆v by STRANGE LAND album cover Studio Album, 2014
2.13 | 4 ratings

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∆v
Strange Land Progressive Metal

Review by Second Life Syndrome
Prog Reviewer

2 stars I really feel horrible when I dislike an album that someone sent to me. I understand the time, effort, and emotion that was put into each track, and I really hate to tear that down just for my personal opinion. It makes me feel like a snob. However, this new album from Strange Land is exactly what I'm talking about, as I really can't stand it.

Strange Land has morphed through different sounds and incarnations, and this current version is a two-man band featuring Sean Gill and Brad Klotz. These two do an admirable job of providing instrumentation and vocals for the entire album. I applaud them for this.

The band utilizes a brand of progressive rock/metal that leans upon heavily distorted, raw guitars and a bleak, unfeeling atmosphere. It has roots in punk rock, methinks, and also in heavy metal and Tool. This is certainly no descendant of Dream Theater. The music is unimaginative, full of roaring distortion that never really goes anywhere or serves any purpose. The guitars are right on the edge of annoyance for me, as I'm not a big fan of the harsh, raw side of the instrument. The instrumentation isn't the weakest part of the album, however.

The guys both provide vocals for this album, and, unfortunately, the vocals range from horrible to somewhat manageable. The shrill, punk style that is used irks me to no end, especially when it seems the band has something deep to say. Forget that, though, as any profundity is lost in the immature sound of the vocals. The vocals really do ruin the entire album.

There are some bright spots here and there. Actually, the instrumental "Luke's Blue Serial" is a genius track full of brass instruments and sheer inspiration. I was shocked when I heard it! The rest of the album, however, is nothing but mediocre style, sloppy musicianship, and horrible composition. It's listenable, but barely. I do not recommend this album at all.

 Anomaly by STRANGE LAND album cover Studio Album, 2001
3.39 | 3 ratings

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Anomaly
Strange Land Progressive Metal

Review by Windhawk
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars This debut CD by US band Strange Land is a nice album, without any major flaws. There's no really weak tunes here, but on the other hand none of the tunes are really strong either. Nice, but no cigar.

In style they often come across as a rough mix of Fates Warning, Rush and Iron Maiden; with the overall sound of Fates Warning, guitar riffs and lick in a similar style (although not sound) as Rush and galloping bass lines at times reminding me very much of the style Steve Harris have used.

The songs themselves are probably the weak part here. The musicianship, although not stellar, is mainly good, but doesn't manage to add anything to the melodies themselves. And the moods explored really doesn't quite manage to impress me. Nice riff patterns, loads of breaks adding variation, a general sense of evolvement is there all along - but few of the songs manage to conjure up soundscapes that grabs my attention. Nice music, pleasant, but that's about it for me.

If rough music in the borderline between hard rock and metal sounds good to you, and you don't mind influences from bands like Fates Warning, Rush and Iron Maiden in your music, this is a title you'd want to check out.

 Anomaly by STRANGE LAND album cover Studio Album, 2001
3.39 | 3 ratings

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Anomaly
Strange Land Progressive Metal

Review by bikerman

4 stars A strong start for this independent band. Reminds me of a mix of Rush and Fates Warning. Despite being a 3 piece they get a lot of sound going. Some very nice piano playing by singer/bassist Chad Novell as well. A few hiccups here and there but nothing to distract from the quality of the songwriting here.
 Blaming Season by STRANGE LAND album cover Studio Album, 2005
3.63 | 4 ratings

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Blaming Season
Strange Land Progressive Metal

Review by bikerman

4 stars A wide variety is shown here, elements of Rush, Fates Warning, Living Colour and many other influences pop up, but nothing is a blatant rip-off. Definitely a kinda raw/live Kings X type sound to the production. A little rough around the edges but still top-notch for a self produced cd. If you're looking for something that's not another DT/Sym X clone this is for you.
 Blaming Season by STRANGE LAND album cover Studio Album, 2005
3.63 | 4 ratings

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Blaming Season
Strange Land Progressive Metal

Review by Windhawk
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars The sophomore release from US-based band Strange Land is a slightly odd release.

When rocking out, they are mostly slow and dark in scope, with what seems to be influences from King's X and Soundgarden in sound. Some Dream Theater-eque faster moods can be found, but most times they balance the slow chugging riffs with mellow clean or acoustic guitar based moods, often with atonal or disharmonic elements.

There's also a bit of theme and mood exploration going on here, so I guess King Crimson and various fusion bands belong in a list of probable influences here as well.

Interesting music when it works, and nice even when it doesn't quite gel. Relatively original overall sound on this release.

 Blaming Season by STRANGE LAND album cover Studio Album, 2005
3.63 | 4 ratings

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Blaming Season
Strange Land Progressive Metal

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars I would describe this band's sound as a cross between FATES WARNING and ZERO HOUR.That is all I would need to hear to know I would like this album. And I have to tell you this is one impressive release. I'm actually shocked that these guys aren't more well known after listening to this their sophomore album all week. To give you an idea of where their tastes lie, the bass / vocalist and keyboard player Chad Novell lists "Operation Mindcrime" , "The Towers Of Avarice" and "In Absentia" as very influential to him. While the lead guitarist Sean Gill lists "2112" , "Parallels" and "The Perfect Element" as very influential to him. A tasty couple of lists indeed.

The record opens with "Obliquity" a slow and very heavy tune with a stuttering soundscape. ZERO HOUR-like precision between the bass, guitar and drums. The sound 3 1/2 minutes in is amazing ! "Cause And Defect" opens with drums that quickly build as the rest of the band join in. Fantastic sound here. Vocals enter 1 1/2 minutes in as we are treated to another heavy track. 4 minutes in the sound lightens somewhat (still heavy) and I like it even more than the earlier melody, it reminds me of RUSH. Man these guys can play ! The drumming is outstanding and the song speeds up 8 1/2 minutes in to end it. "Marionette" opens with strummed acoustic guitar for 30 seconds until it is trampled underfoot by a heavy sound. This contrast continues. I really like the mellower sections, actually I love the heavy parts too, it's all good ! A killer guitar solo follows with riffs right behind. It's as heavy as hell 5 1/2 minutes in followed by a galloping rhythm.

"In A Mind" has an atmospheric intro including some rare keys. The bass and drums form a formidable team on this mid-paced tune. This is just a gorgeous song. The guitar solo 6 minutes in is pure bliss. "Dear Helena" may be the heaviest song yet ! A wall of sound. Nice guitar solo 3 minutes in and the song ends with a lot of intensity. "Exordium" is really a change of pace as we get a spacey soundscape with some strange sounds as this song blends into "Alone We Go" for 30 seconds. A great contrast in this one ("Alone We Go") between the heavy and mellow passages. The guitar solo 4 1/2 minutes in is in a different tone from the rest on the album. A lot of variety with the lead guitar on this record and he really hangs on to the final note of this solo. "Below The After" is a great way to end the album. Some tempo changes and riffs with some beautiful guitar melodies. I have to say that the vocals were very well done on this album as well, quite powerful but not the range of some i've heard. Still he keeps within his limits extremely well.

Anyone out there who is into the bands or albums listed above, needs to check this band out. 4.5 stars.

Thanks to TheProgtologist for the artist addition.

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