THE LAST EMBRACE TO HUMANITY

What is up with all the Dimensions? First, there were the X's - Racer X, Planet X, Symphony X. Now Odd Dimension, Fourth Dimension, SEVENTH Dimension?! To give credit to the "Odd", they have a pretty little ornate logo (the way that little d's a wrtitten) and a moniker - they call themselves the Odds for short.

Anyway, Odd Dimension play mid-tempo progressive power metal, or what I call Dreamtheater-lite, that is, Dreamtheater without the long solos, overt technicality or crazy time sigs, with Symphony X elements mixed during the more thrashy section. In fact, Odd Dimension could be called a textbook example of this style. Closest example that comes to mind are Germany's Dreamscape of their 5th season album.

Loud, full-bodied production? Check. Powerhouse vocals sung in an awkward foreign accent (reminding of fellow Italians Rhapsody)? Check. Many twists and turns during the longer songs ending not the way they began (Under my creed and Fortune and pain being the more impressive examples)? Check. A few cheesy mid-tempo hard rockers with multi-tracked instruments (piano-guitar, acoustic-electric)? Check.

Why is this talented band even more obscure than excellent, but relatively obscure prog metal bands such as Vanden Plas or Seventh Wonder? One answer is understandably the Italians' newness (two albums) and promotion issues. But another, I suspect, is their lack of originality and inferior songwriting compared to the giants. Don't take me wrong, this is a talented band and fans of DT, Symphony X or Blind Guardian should definitely take at least a spin. I wish that they were better known and promoted, including here on PA. But I just don't see how they could stand out in an overpopulated genre.