UTOPIA PERFECTION

The big man of the band is Tero Väänänen. He signs (or co-signs) no less than eight songs leaving only three songs to the duo Tolki and Kauhanen ("Mystery Man", "As Above So Below" and "Giant Dwarf"). He also contacted me a few months ago and volunteered to send me a copy of their work if I would like to review their album on PA. I received in my mail a few weeks ago and I promised to review it between X'mas and New Year. And since a promise is a promise, here is my review.

Foreseen has the dark, scary and mighty style of Crimson. But also switches to naïve female vocals (almost sounding like Far- Eastern ones - from Japan noticeably).

The power and dynamics of "Mystery Man" brings us in a different environment. If there was one track that could have have been released as a single, it would have been this one. The beat is so great, the vocal parts so polished (but that's a definite characteristics of "Discordia"). The melodic lines are really performing and catchy. One of my fave from this album even if it sounds a bit popish (but very good one). Same comments for Speak Directly.

The music they are playing is so diversified that it is frankly difficult to categorize, but it always remains of great quality and so proggy. You'll need to give it a few spins (as I have done for the last ten days) to fully capture the magic of their compositions.

The use of some less used instruments like clarinet, violin, santur (which is mostly used in the Middle-East) adds a special touch which is very much welcome. The violin is best appreciate during "As Above So Below".

I think that the best song in terms of vocal arrangements is "The Group". In less than four minutes, so many different themes will be approached. At times, it reminds me of "Gentle Giant".

All tracks aren't "perfect". "Interlude" for instance is somewhat weak but while you listen to "Slave Planet I", lots of folkish influences are to be noticed. Very pleasant and unexpected. The final part is a pure marvel. A highlight. Its follow-up : "Slave Planet II" is not so strong but shows the same folk inspiration.

"The Comment Of The Wise" is a short instrumental fully reminiscent of VDGG. At times noisy, it completely breaks the tranquil mood of "Slave Planet II". Interesting.

I could not imagine a better title for "Mighty Power Of Metal". It is a superb and indeed mighty song related with prog metal. It is my favourite track of the whole album. Lyrics are quite warrior oriented (like the ones from "The Knife").

"Who you're fighting for, the Emperor, the orcist hord or some other freak". "Mighty power of metal, fighting forever for Kings. Mighty power of metal, for all the glory it brings".

The album ends on another prog-folk song. As during the whole of this album, superb vocals are again performed. It is true to say that there aren't long pieces of music here, nor lots of instrumental breaks. That' s maybe one of the negative point, but there are so many positive ones that it can be easily overcome.

The band definitely deserves your attention and I hope that they will get more exposure not only on PA but throughout the prog community. Check it out and support them!

This album is short (but I prefer short and effective than long and dull), very well balanced, and vocal harmonies are superb.

Seven out of ten, upgraded to four stars for their nice treat.