CONDITION RED

Matured musically and clearer music direction

It opens nicely with "The Warning" (1:20) through a great combination of violin and ambient keyboard which creates an overall tone of the album. It shifts wonderfully and energetically to the second track "Eye Of A Storm" (5:25) in relatively fast tempo. The key attraction point is the dynamic keyboard sound followed with heavy music with guitar riffs. It flows in power metal style accompanying Ella vocal work. The keyboard solo is really stunning throughout the track. "Cycles" (5:03) starts with keyboard solo which than flows dynamically (and interestingly!) in neoclassical style for such relatively long period followed with music riffs that brings the music flows nicely. I find many passages in this album that use similar neoclassical style like this and it makes me more interested with the music. It's stunning, really. It's like combining Rick Wakeman with progressive metal music. "Time Passes By" (4:46) slows down the music but it still an interesting track. "The Eagle's Return" (3:03) starts with drum solo and the music is similar with Iron Maiden plus stunning keyboard solo. "It's Not Too Late" (6:58) is like a ballad with great acoustic guitar work plus good vocal line by Ella augmented with nice keyboard.

"Rondo" (3:24) is presented with great guitar solo combined with string section. It's really a nice composition. "Why Won't You Hear Me?" (6:05) brings the music into more grandiose setting with excellent combination of keyboard, string section and guitar riffs followed beautifully with short keyboard solo right before Ella enters her vocal into the music. "Seven Stars" (3:42) starts wonderfully with guitar distortion and effects followed with intertwining keyboard and guitar works. "In/Out" (2:19) demonstrates good bass guitar solo followed with blast of symphonic power metal music. "Train Insane" (4:21) returns the music back into neoclassical power metal. "Out Of The Red" (2:11) closes the album with mellow style music combining keyboard and guitar fills.

Overall, this album deserves more than excellent music with its root on progressive metal using intense neoclassical metal with the sound of keyboard. The production quality is much better than the debut album. It's an excellent addition to any prog music collection with 4.5 stars rating. Highly recommended. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW (i-Rock! Music Community)

Musically, it's a joy listening to this album!

This is practically right for me because I do like music that blends many styles and textures into one piece of music like this self-titled album by Condition Red. The categorization of Condition Red in progressive metal box is debatable but I can assure that there are many passages that remind me to progressive metal vein. Remember band like Aghora? It was quite tough to categorize under prog met, actually, because the blend elements of jazz fusion into their music. So is the case with Condition Red: you will hear many tempo and style changes ranging from regular hard rock into a bit of symphonic, neoclassical and also jazz rock fusion which for those who don't get used to their music might have thought that the band has no clear direction. Well, I have to disagree with that dictum as I find that this band has gathered their concerted efforts to blend music from different kind of horizons. The result is an excellent album, musically.

From the opening track "Calls Out My Name" (10:28) which has violin solo as opening part makes it quite attractive to expect what's going on later with their music. The combined notes of piano, keyboard, bass at the passage following violin solo reminds me to neoclassical tune which flows beautifully through an acrobatic music comprising piano and its syncopated beats using drums. Oh, guitar also moves so quickly with its complex notes in the vein of Yngwie Malmsteen. The bass guitar is an interesting part to observe. The vocal line comprises female and male voices.

The next track "Judgement Day" (10:31) provides great sax solo which makes the music quite unique. This song is actually not quite attractive at its opening part that comprises keyboard work. But as the music flows with great keyboard (organ) sounds in jazzy style it shows the critical point where the music sounds different compared to other music. When sax works enter the music it makes the music is solid in its composition. The guitar solo that follows is also stunning. Jazz elements sound so transparent with this track. "Life Is Now" (8:51) brings the music in more upbeat music with energetic riffs. The organ solo is really nice and sounds like a blend of vintage and modern music. This track involves Derek Sherinian (ex Dream Theater) on keyboard.

"Bach On The Streets Again" (5:15) is a hard rocker with excellent guitar melody with some passages that demonstrate changes in styles. It's an attractive track. "Fly Me High" (4:58) brings the music down into more mellow style even though not that mellow. "Lighthouse" (8:26) demonstrates great intertwining roles between guitar and keyboard. The music suddenly moves into jazzy style with sax solo followed nicely by acoustic guitar solo. "Learning To Live" (4:30) is a riff-based music with good male vocal. The album concludes nicely with "Final Words" (7:41) in relatively mellow style with stunning guitar solo. The keyboard solo and bass playing are great!

Overall, this is a mix of styles that result in an excellent music that would favor those who like prog metal but it might also work nicely for those who like jazz fusion. This is not progressive metal like Dream Theater. Unfortunately the CD sonic quality is not that good due to low cost production, I believe. But, musically is still an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW (i-Rock! Music Community)