NU.CLEAR.DAWN

3.5 for sure

Nu. Clear. Dawn is a progressive metal , surprise - from Syria. They released so far a single album in 2003 named Poem of a knight at a small label A&T Records. Well is was quite impressed what I've hered here, really, they are skillful musicians and above all they had very intristing ideas , keeping in mind that they are coming from a country with no history in any kind of metal or rock not to mention progressive metal. Similar in places with Symphony X, even tunisian Myrath comes in mind or Vanden Plas, Nu Clear Dawn manage to create a very enjoyble abum from start to finish. The music is quite complicated with many twists and turns, breaks , keyboard floating greatnly above the almost neoclassical guitar, but the result is good for sure. Very competent vocalist Amr Rifai who has a distinctiv voice and is a perfect match in this kind of music. The highlight of this album for me is Falcon And Crow, an 9 min splendour, kick ass prog metal, with superb guitar lines melted with some most fantastic keyboards you will probably ever hear from a band from that part of the world, impressive track.Revolution is another worthy tune, with great choris and inventic and melodic guitar parts. All in all even the album is influenced by the bands mentioned above, is well performed and played greatly, I never thouht that I will like it so much. Well done guys, unfortunatly they are unknown to larger public and they will probably fall into oblivion if some of us will not bring them to surface from time to time. 3 stars rounded to 3.5 , pleasent and fans of prog metal need to get this one because worth it.

(damn it, I've just lost my review, so sorry, I'll be brief, I can't help to not be brief when this happens) Power Melodic Prog Metal from exotic country of Syria without (as far as I can tell) much "Middle Eastern" influences. Similar in style to this of Symphony X a little bit, orchestral-like arrangements, first half being more powerful, while second is optimistic a lot, less dark and more optimistic, uplifting. Neat mind trick how to first confuse you with powerful part and then charm you with "good cop" second side. I don't object though. This should have been long review, but not anymore. Sad thing is that I won't be able to write it again, as long as it was before in future, it just doesn't work this way.

This is music I can instantly recommend. These guys are trying a lot and you know, conditions in Syria aren't exactly easy, so it's quite interesting that "something" was made, released and found its way to ProgArchives. And that it's nothing boring and stupid, it's solid Prog Metal.

4(+), and I have to say that second part pleased me a lot.