OPRAM

In their debut Opram provided a powerful Heavy Prog, similar to compatriots NEMO and with notable PORCUPINE TREE influences, based on a balanced attempt between groovy gears and more demanding instrumental work.As expected the album has also strong Prog Metal hints, especially on the bombastic rhythmic parts and the sharp guitar riffs of Diadema, somewhat close to the later DREAM THEATER style.The music is delivered in mid-length tracks with an incredible amount of synths and organs supporting Diadema's energetic guitar moves and contain both accesible yet hard-edged moments and complex ideas with technical playing.There is also a light psychedelic influence on the more laid-back moments, while the (French) vocals of Diadema are absolutely irritating, having both a dramatic and sensitive approach.A monster, solid rhythm section completes Opram's profile.The music gets really virtuosic in the instrumental parts with complicated guitar riffs and shifting keyboard solos, still there is a mood by the group to keep a quasi-typical structure in most songs with song-based passages alternating with instrumental mannerisms.

You love the heavier side of Progressive Rock?Then you should simply track down Opram's debut.Passionate, dynamic and bombastic music all the way, easily recommended.

5 tunes and 30 minutes playtime is on the brief side for an album these days; and even with 2 video files are attached as bonus material some will probably think this release should have been longer.

The songs included are high class stuff though. Somewhat similar to Fromuz in style, this outfit takes us on a journey into a musical landscape with lots of twists and turns; from melodic and mellow passages dominated by careful rhythms and melodic guitar licks to distinct metal-tinged explorations with gritty guitar riffs and driving bass and drums and some stellar but careful keyboard layers on top.

From quirky passages to grim metal and further on to beautiful melodic explorations; this release really was to my taste; one of the best albums I've come across in a good while now. The band have a MySpace page - find it and check it out.