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MAGNITUDE 9

Progressive Metal • United States


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Magnitude 9 biography
MAGNITUDE 9 is a band who put out tight sounding albums and music. They preserve traditional progressive-metal sound, while adding their own unique touch to it. The music is full of passion and energy, abundant with technical details and melodic passages enriched by the explosive cocktail of powerful and speedy heavy metal. All the musicians display their enormous knowledge, years of experience, talent and vigour in a way you haven't heard before. These guys just have it all!

MAGNITUDE 9's debut album, "Chaos To Control", is a unique blend of the heavy metal sounds that should go down really well with fans of QUEENSRYCHE, SYMPHONY X, FATES WARNING, and Yngwie MALMSTEEN. This disc is a real treat for mainstream progressive metal fans. Their second effort, "Reality in Focus", has a perfect balance between complex song structures and commercial, melodic appeal. And as the icing on the cake.

MAGNITUDE 9 has finished their 3rd cd - "Decoding The Soul".
A new cd on the map of progressive metal!

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MAGNITUDE 9 discography


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MAGNITUDE 9 top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.51 | 14 ratings
Chaos To Control
1997
3.01 | 28 ratings
Reality in Focus
2000
3.53 | 27 ratings
Decoding The Soul
2004

MAGNITUDE 9 Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

MAGNITUDE 9 Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

MAGNITUDE 9 Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

MAGNITUDE 9 Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

MAGNITUDE 9 Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Reality in Focus by MAGNITUDE 9 album cover Studio Album, 2000
3.01 | 28 ratings

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Reality in Focus
Magnitude 9 Progressive Metal

Review by Tarcisio Moura
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Melodic progressive metal from the USA. A rare case when highly skillful and technically brilliant musicians know how to write great songs and to dose the right amount of virtuosity not to overblown their performances. In fact, Magnitude 9 sounds more like their english counterparts than to their native colleagues. Sure enough there are hints of Dream Theater and Fates Warning here and there, but mostly their music is closer to the European style of more melodic bands like Threshold. Strong influences of 80īs power metal is also clear (their faithful cover of Iron Maidensīs Flight Of Icarus is not coincidence).

Reality In Focus is their second effort but it was the first to be released in Brazil, with a different cover and an altered songs running order. My CD has also two instrumental tracks added: Divided By Three and Mataphysical. Both show their more technical and less melodic side. Those tracks will please those who like to hear more technique and instrumental noodling than "song format" However, the "official" CD is just terrific. I really loved their guitar-led sound and their knack for writing fine hooks and melodies. All tracks are at least very good and there are no lows. Songs like No Turning Back and Lost Along The Way are fine examples of fine songwriting and powerful, energetic delivering of all band members. The star of the show is surely Rob Johnsonīs absolute fantastic guitar lines that dominates most of the tunes, but the rest group is not far behind (Joseph Anastacio Glean is one who knows hoe to put his keyboards in good use all the time). Vocalist Corey Brown has a fine pair of pipes and an emotional delivering that fits well with the high demanding compositions. Production is also top notch.

Although hardly a groundbreaking record, Reality In Focus is a great piece of work. If you like the more melodic, song oriented side of Prog Metal you canīt miss this one.

Rating: something between 4 and 4.5 stars.

 Decoding The Soul by MAGNITUDE 9 album cover Studio Album, 2004
3.53 | 27 ratings

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Decoding The Soul
Magnitude 9 Progressive Metal

Review by kev rowland
Special Collaborator Honorary Reviewer

3 stars Progressive metal/melodic metal band Magnitude Nine are back with their third album, and guitarist Rob Johnson shows no sign at all of slowing his band down. In fact they have got heavier, although ex-Psycho Drama frontman Corey Brown is more than up to the task. This album has been co-produced by Michael Vescera who has sung in various bands, including Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force. I am sure that this last connection has helped as there are times when Rob's solo work is just as fluid and rapid but the difference between this and Rising Force is that here the guitars make sense within the song and don't overpower what is going on.

The result is an album that needs to be played at top volume to get the most of it, with melodic rock songs and great harmony vocals vying for place with some shredding guitar. He is fast, but while that is often his main form of attack within solos he can play with restraint when required. In "Walk Through The Fire" they even have a song that could find itself played on rock radio, a heavier darker style of rock that is also extremely melodic, as if Europe had cranked the guitars up even more.

Solid, enjoyable with some great guitar work, this is an album that gives prog metal a good name.

Originally appeared in Feedback #78, April 2004

 Reality in Focus by MAGNITUDE 9 album cover Studio Album, 2000
3.01 | 28 ratings

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Reality in Focus
Magnitude 9 Progressive Metal

Review by kev rowland
Special Collaborator Honorary Reviewer

2 stars There is no doubt that Magnitude 9 want to be a slightly more progressive version of Iron Maiden (witness their cover of "Flight Of Icarus"), but I found that I was being distracted by the overall sound of the album. For most of the CD, to my ears admittedly, the drums are too high in the mix and the guitars too polished and subdued. This spoilt the whole album for me, which is a shame as there are some great guitar breaks and guitar/keyboard interplays. The songs and vocals are also good but for me the album is spoilt by the drums and for that reason if no other I can't recommend it.

Originally appeared in Feedback #62, May 01

 Chaos To Control by MAGNITUDE 9 album cover Studio Album, 1997
3.51 | 14 ratings

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Chaos To Control
Magnitude 9 Progressive Metal

Review by Keetian

5 stars I consider this a real treat to comment on "Magnitude 9's" first effort, "Chaos to Control." I was a fellow member of "Guitar Maniacs" with the lead guitarist "Rob Johnson." He and I correspondended by mail and we exchanged cassettes of our solo projects. He is by far one of the best guitarists I have ever heard and he was very encouraging to me as a player. I purchased a helpful video from Rob that I learned a lot from, as far as technique goes. I also owned his first 3 solo CDs. There is not a bad tune on any of them. His playing will make your jaw drop. He is well able to keep up with the likes of Yingwe Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Etc.

Again on "Chaos to Control" there are no stinkers. It is the total package. In places he sounds like Malmsteen. Especially the construction of the band's songs. There is just so much to drool over, I would need a few days to go over everything. Lets just say if you like hard technical music, this is the album to get. Every note is a prog event.

It gets 5 stars hands down.

 Reality in Focus by MAGNITUDE 9 album cover Studio Album, 2000
3.01 | 28 ratings

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Reality in Focus
Magnitude 9 Progressive Metal

Review by UMUR
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars Reality in Focus is the second full-length studio album by American progressive metal act Magnitude 9. The album was released in 2000 through InsideOut Music. The debut album Chaos To Control (1997) by Magnitude 9 was an enjoyable album that fully showcased both the technical and the compositional skills of the band. Reality in Focus continues the solid progressive metal style that Magnitude 9 started on the debut.

The music is a mix of progressive metal, heavy metal and power metal. There are lots of heavy riffs, keyboards and skillful playing on the album but the music isnīt overtly complex in structure. Itīs generally vers/ chorus build with some pretty anthemic choruses that is best described as power metal/ heavy metal like in nature. While I do enjoy progressive metal with lots of power metal elements it is my least favoured subgenre within the progressive metal genre and after a couple of songs I find those choruses a bit too generic. But thatīs just my opinion. If you like the style thereīs absolutely nothing wrong with the quality of the music on this album. In addition to the nine original compositions by Magnitude 9, the band also tackle a cover version of Flight of Icarus by Iron Maiden. I donīt quite see the point though as this version is almost frightingly true to the original. If your cover version doesnīt add anything new to the original version Iīm not interested. All original compositions are progressive/ power metal songs of high quality though.

The musicianship is excellent. Guitarist Rob Johnson can certainly shred but his playing is melodic too. The rythm section is tight and heavy and keyboardist Joseph Anastacio Glean adds lots of atmosphere to the tracks. Lead vocalist Corey Brown is a powerful singer.

The production is very good. Detailed and powerful.

Reality in Focus might not really be to my personal taste but it is a high quality album. A 3.5 star rating is deserved.

 Decoding The Soul by MAGNITUDE 9 album cover Studio Album, 2004
3.53 | 27 ratings

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Decoding The Soul
Magnitude 9 Progressive Metal

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

3 stars MAGNITUDE 9's third and final release (barring a comeback) is more slick and polished than the first two albums. I agree with another reviewer that there's a hint of Power-Metal on this one that wasn't on the other records. So this is fairly accessible and melodic yet for me it's a step back from the previous album "Reality In Focus" which is my favourite from them. This is one of thoses albums that is hard to criticise and at the same time difficult to praise.

"New Dimension" takes 30 seconds to kick in, vocals and heavy riffs follow. The contrast continues. A calm before 3 minutes followed by a guitar solo. "Lies Within The Truth" is melodic with lots of guitar. Excellent guitar solo 3 1/2 minutes in. Some nice crunch before 5 1/2 minutes. "Facing The Unknown" is a top three track for me. This has a FATES WARNING flavour to it as the guitar grinds away and the vocals are more passionate. "To Find A Reason" has an atmospheric intro like the opening track. It turns powerful fairly quickly though with heavy riffs. The guitar lights it up after 3 1/2 minutes. "Walk Through The Fire" is another top three tune for me. Lots of crunch in this one and a ripping guitar solo after 2 minutes. Nice. "Dead In Their Tracks" features some double bass drumming and an IRON MAIDEN flavour.

"Changes" opens with some very cool guitar before reserved vocals come in. It kicks in quickly as contrasts continue. I like the lyrics to this one a lot. Probably my fourth favourite. "Torn" is more laid back to start with before it kicks in, this contrast continues. I like the guitar in this one.It fades out to end it. "Thirty Days Of Night" has a killer intro, it settles when the vocals come in. Great rocking section before 2 1/2 minutes. "Sands Of Time" is my favourite song on here. Right from the first listen I liked this one. They slow it down but it's still very poweful at times. I like the mellow sections with soft vocals and the chorus. It's all good though.

3.5 stars. I just don't like it enough to offer up 4 stars, but if your into Prog-Metal it's worth a listen.

 Reality in Focus by MAGNITUDE 9 album cover Studio Album, 2000
3.01 | 28 ratings

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Reality in Focus
Magnitude 9 Progressive Metal

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

4 stars FATES WARNING came to mind the most while listening to this excellent album, although the IRON MAIDEN influence can be heard on the first track. Oh, and they also do a cover of "Flight Of Icarus", which isn't a bonus track or anything it's part of the original album.

"No Turning Back" opens with MAIDEN-like guitars followed by riffs then vocals. Ripping guitar before 4 minutes followed by a synth solo. That IRON MAIDEN vibe is back again. Check out the guitar 5 1/2 minutes in as it cries out. "What My Eyes Have Seen" opens with synths as drums and some heaviness takes over. Vocals before a minute. The guitar sounds fantastic in this one, especially the solo after 3 minutes. I love when it settles 5 minutes in with deep bass sounds. "Far Beyond Illusion" features vocals that remind me of Adler. This is very FATES WARNING like. Amazing song. Crunchy guitars and such a solid sound. This reminds me of home. "Afterlife" is the longest track at over 9 minutes. This sounds so good early, like metal is flying everywhere. Great sound after 3 minutes followed by riffs. Guitar solo after 5 1/2 minutes. A nice heavy sound ends it. "The End Of Days" has this impressive intro before it settles somewhat as vocals come in. Riffs and synths create a wondrous sound 3 1/2 minutes in.

"Lost Along The Way" is a fairly heavy track throughout especially the intro. "Flight Of Icarus" is the best IRON MAIDEN cover I have heard. The vocals, guitar and drums are all outstanding. Man this guy can sing ! "Temples Of Gold" features a barage of drums then the tempo picks up as the guitar lights it up. Vocals follow. The drumming is killer.The guitar is on fire after 3 1/2 minutes. Spoken words come in quoting scripture 5 minutes in. Very cool. "Quiet Desperation" opens with synths that are promptly blown away by a stampede. Vocals a minute in. He's beating the hell out of his drum kit 3 minutes in. Blistering guitar follows. "Mind Over Fear" opens with some atmosphere before the riffs kick in. It settles as reserved vocals arrive 1 1/2 minutes in. A powerful soundscape returns quickly. Just a killer sound on this one. The guitar is out of control after 4 minutes.

My kind of music. Sure there is nothing new here, but that's not an issue with me, like I said earlier it makes me feel like I am home.

 Chaos To Control by MAGNITUDE 9 album cover Studio Album, 1997
3.51 | 14 ratings

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Chaos To Control
Magnitude 9 Progressive Metal

Review by Mellotron Storm
Prog Reviewer

3 stars I agree with UMUR's thoughts on this one. MAGNITUDE 9's debut is chalk full shredding guitar that reminds me of Jasun Tipton from ZERO HOUR. Thunderous drumming and keyboard flurries. I much prefer it when they tone it down though. So I admire the way these guys play but my enjoyment level isn't high enough to give this 4 stars. Great vocals by the way.

"End Of Time" opens with synths as the guitar comes ripping in. Heavy riffs come thundering in. It settles after a minute, I really like this part as it reminds me of FATES WARNING. It's riff time again as contrasts continue. Excellent opening track. "Voices" is interesting the way the tempo speeds up quickly and then settles back throughout the song. More Tipton-like guitar before 2 1/2 minutes. "Into The Sun" is mid-paced and very FATES WARNING-like when the vocals come in and the guitar grinds away. I like this one. "Keeper Of Your Soul" is uptempo with lots of guitar.The drumming is relentless. Great vocals. "Secrets Within" opens with a wall of guitars as the tempo picks up with pounding drums. It eases up some before 1 1/2 minutes. More crazy guitar later.

"Another World" is my favourite track. Love the heavy soundscape that takes over before a minute. Hell ya ! Vocals join in. This rocks out really good. Great sound before 4 minutes. Some vocal samples 5 minutes in. "Don't Say" is a good mid paced heavy tune. "After Tomorrow" kicks along at break-neck speed. Quite powerful too. A calm 3 minutes in but it doesn't last long. "YK2" is another favourite of mine. It opens with a nice heavy sound as spoken vocals come in. He's singing now as the mid-paced heavy sound continues. The guitar rips it up 2 minutes in and a minute later followed by more spoken words. "Writings" builds until vocals and synths come in. Great sound. Nice and heavy with thunderous drums.

I have the InsideOut edition with a different track listing, different cover art too. As UMUR mentions the art work is not good at all. Nothing new here but it's very well done. 3.5 stars.

 Decoding The Soul by MAGNITUDE 9 album cover Studio Album, 2004
3.53 | 27 ratings

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Decoding The Soul
Magnitude 9 Progressive Metal

Review by b_olariu
Prog Reviewer

3 stars Their swansong album

Decoding the soul is the third album of Magnitude 9 from 2004, less good then the predecesor, at least for me, because here the band sounds more metal than prog. Anyway i find it a good album but nothing more, not a highlight all the pieces have the same level. It will be rude from me not to metion that Corey Brown's voice is excelent for this kind of music, but i prefer him on the previous album Reality in focus where shines on every piece, great voice and very underrated in my opinin. The rest of the musicians are very ok, specialy the main man of the band Rob Johnson who really knows to use the instrument and deliver some very efficinet riffs and solos, the drums sounds powerful and combined with the bass of Ian Ringler is a total rythm machine. So, in conclusion not a spectacular album in prog metal, kinda unoriginal in places but good, 3 stars for Decoding the soul.

 Chaos To Control by MAGNITUDE 9 album cover Studio Album, 1997
3.51 | 14 ratings

BUY
Chaos To Control
Magnitude 9 Progressive Metal

Review by UMUR
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

3 stars Chaos To Control is the debut album from American progressive metal band Magnitude 9. Iīve seen this album in Inside Outīs catalogues for many years and finally got a chance to buy it. Itīs one of the better progressive metal purchases Iīve done in some time.

The music is very typical progressive metal with heavy hard edged riffs and shredding solo work like Symphony X, keyboards ala Dream Theater and a more soft approach in some of the parts that reminds me of Fates Warning. I know this sounds generic and it is sometimes, but Magnitude 9 is better than most other clone bands Iīve encountered. I especially enjoy the shredding guitar work from Rob Johnson. He is a very skilled guitarist. The songs are pretty good with some good ideas and a few surprises along the way. As with many other progressive metal releases the music does become a bit trivial near the end of the album and I really wish for more experimentation.

The musicianship is really good and the production is pretty good too.

The cover art is really bad. Itīs not a good way to sell your product.

Chaos to Control is an above average progressive metal album that deserves 3 stars. Had Magnitude 9 worked more with a personal sound this could easily have been a 4 star album, but many of the ideas on Chaos to Control have been used before by some of the above mentioned bands and the biggest problem is that those bands have used them much better. Chaos to Control is still an enjoyable album and recommendable to fans of progressive metal. Just donīt expect something very original.

Thanks to ProgLucky for the artist addition.

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