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LORD OF MUSHROOMS

Progressive Metal • France


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Lord Of Mushrooms biography
This French quintet from Nice began covering bands such as SPOCK'S BEARD and MARILLION as well as the heavier RUSH and DREAM THEATER, influences that pop up on their eponymous album, released in 2002. The band consists of highly skilled musicians with instrumental chops to spare such as guitarist Laurent James, a disciple of Frédéric L'épée (SHYLOCK, PHILHARMONIE), whose jazzy lines will remind you of John Goodsall from BRAND X. The other members are keyboardist Quentin Benayoun, drummer Volodia Brice, bassist Julien Negro, and frontman Julien Vallespi who sounds a bit like Gary Chandler of JADIS and sings in a totally unaccented (American) English.

Their album shows a typical American approach to composing, with light-jazz sounds that give the music a bit of a "lounge" or "easy listening" feel. Simultaneously complex and catchy, intricate yet accessible, their pieces are a refreshing mixture of fusion, hard prog, melodic prog and some metal, all gelling naturally. Not the most challenging type of music by any means but complex enough to stand repeated listenings, and surprisingly mature for a first effort, thanks to the excellent musicianship from the entire crew and a top-notch production.

Particularly recommended to art rock fans who appreciate high technical proficiency. Could also please JADIS fans, although the LORD OF MUSHROOMS' style is much more complex.

: : : Lise (HIBOU), CANADA : : :

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LORD OF MUSHROOMS discography


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LORD OF MUSHROOMS top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.00 | 7 ratings
Lord of Mushrooms
2002
2.99 | 17 ratings
Seven Deadly Songs
2005
3.82 | 40 ratings
Perspectives
2012

LORD OF MUSHROOMS Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

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LORD OF MUSHROOMS Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Perspectives by LORD OF MUSHROOMS album cover Studio Album, 2012
3.82 | 40 ratings

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Perspectives
Lord Of Mushrooms Progressive Metal

Review by Warthur
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Apparently Lord of Mushrooms started out covering Spock's Beard and Marillion alongside Dream Theater and Rush, a diverse range of influences which seems to have trained the band well when it comes to delivering the sort of diverse sound they offer on Perspectives. The album is a kaleidoscope of intriguing progressive rock and metal, offering (as the title suggests) a range of radically different moods. They're not the first prog metal act to slip calmer and more melodic segments into their sound, of course, but Lord of Mushrooms' quiet moments tend towards a lusher and richer sound than other bands', making them sound like a decidedly different and original prospect.
 Perspectives by LORD OF MUSHROOMS album cover Studio Album, 2012
3.82 | 40 ratings

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Perspectives
Lord Of Mushrooms Progressive Metal

Review by Time Signature

5 stars You have to hand it to the French - when they want to do something original, they do something original. At least that's the case with progressive metallers Lord of Mushrooms' latest opus "Perspectives".

After the surprisingly straight ahead no frills, yet quite quirky and kind of humorous 'Imago', Lord of Mushrooms show their true selves in 'Warmth in the Wilderness' which is riddled with odd metered grooves, something which this band obviously have a penchant for. What is interesting is that the first couple of songs come across as quite accessible in not particularly technical because of the use of catchy vocal melodies - but obviously that are very technically advanced, drawing a lot on odd time signatures.

This changes with 'Red Queen's Race' which is an overtly technical little instrumental, while 'Raindrops on my Wings' takes the listener through odd metered grooves, rapping and scratching, as well as highly melodic choruses. 'Nyx's Robe' is oddly groovy and features a jazzy fretless bass solo, while the title track is both aggressive and melodic.

Dynamic, spacey, deceptive, and extremely well put together, "Perspectives" is a likely candidate for progressive metal album of the year.

(review originally posted at metalmusicarchives.com)

 Seven Deadly Songs by LORD OF MUSHROOMS album cover Studio Album, 2005
2.99 | 17 ratings

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Seven Deadly Songs
Lord Of Mushrooms Progressive Metal

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

3 stars With a name like LORD OF MUSHROOMS I was expecting this to be a Psychedelic band not a Metal one. The bio actually explained a lot when I read that they used to be a cover band doing SPOCK'S BEARD, MARILLION, RUSH and DREAM THEATER songs. I think the reason they don't get a lot of love on most sites is because the two styles of music they play just doesn't mesh very well. Most bands can go from heavy to lighter and it is a positive, but these guys really go too far both ways in my opinion. I mean double bass drumming one minute to sounding like commercial AOR the next just doesn't work, at least not for me. Now having said all this I have to admit I really enjoyed most of this album, especially the heavier sections, and there's lots of them.

"Pride" is catchy and heavy to start then it settles back with vocals before 1 1/2 minutes.The tempo picks up 2 minutes in.This is good. Spoken words after 4 minutes then it kicks back in. "Avarice" turns heavy quickly and vocals arrive before a minute. Synths after 4 minutes as the heaviness continues. "Envy" is heavy and drum led and vocals join in before 1 1/2 minutes as it settles back some.Guitar to the fore before 4 minutes. "Anger" is heavy with drums as vocals join in. It settles back before 5 minutes. Ripping guitar before 6 1/2 minutes. It kicks back in with drums late. "Sloth" has these reserved vocals with piano in this ballad-like track.

"Gluttony" is heavy with keyboards. It lightens up after the vocals arrive. Double bass drumming 3 1/2 minutes as synths play over top, then guitar. It settles with piano and guitar 4 1/2 minutes in.Vocals are back 6 1/2 minutes in. A burp ends it. Appropriate. "Lust" is nice and heavy. It calms right down when the vocals and piano come in. It's heavier again a minute later. Good song. The next three tracks blend into one another. "The Bewitching Air" opens with gentle guitar and laid back vocals. Drums before a minute. "The Tempest" starts with drums and guitar then the piano takes over and the tempo picks up. Good tune. "Paylee Control" opens with relaxed guitar and synths. It gets fuller before a minute.Vocals follow. I like these last three tracks a lot.

3 stars and I can see lots of people liking this if they'd give them a chance.

 Seven Deadly Songs by LORD OF MUSHROOMS album cover Studio Album, 2005
2.99 | 17 ratings

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Seven Deadly Songs
Lord Of Mushrooms Progressive Metal

Review by yutface

4 stars This album is completely prog- but with an almost pop-feel. The guitars are tight, drums too, the vocals are different. Not your high soaring bore-fest that so many bands are up to, but a more gruff, unique voice. The instrumental sections are terrific too. I would recommoend this to anyone who likes heavy prog metal with clean vocals. You will not regret it.
 Seven Deadly Songs by LORD OF MUSHROOMS album cover Studio Album, 2005
2.99 | 17 ratings

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Seven Deadly Songs
Lord Of Mushrooms Progressive Metal

Review by hdfisch
Prog Reviewer

1 stars This album is by far vastly overrated obviously exclusively by ignorant Dream Theaterfan boys (sorry to use this expression I usually disliked). The music presented here is at the best to be called an AOR type one, the usual highspeed riffing stuff all of us know well enough already aerated with some schmaltzy ballads. Nothing a serious lover of progressive music would give one single cent for. I just can say: an incredible waste of time,effort and money if one bothers for this record. It's really extremely rare that I use the lowest score but in this case I see it as an appropiate need.
 Seven Deadly Songs by LORD OF MUSHROOMS album cover Studio Album, 2005
2.99 | 17 ratings

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Seven Deadly Songs
Lord Of Mushrooms Progressive Metal

Review by viperjr98

5 stars This disc is fantastic! I haven't gotten their first one yet, but you can bet I will. Perhaps it is more in the Art Rock vein, but this one is pure unadulterated prog metal. Fantastic hooks and riffs abound. There's some vestiges of Art Rock in there too. I hear some Echolyn, maybe some Gentle Giant. But then take those and throw in a heavy dose of Dream Theater-esque runs and riffs and you've got yourself one helluva disc.

For me, the highlight is the first 3 tracks. Separate and distinct, yet they transition smoothly and seamlessly. Great metal hooks and riffs followed by softer, yet still powerful, passages. And the drums are all over the place.

This a definite no-brainer 5-star effort. One of the best releases of 2005!

Thanks to ProgLucky for the artist addition.

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