RELOCATOR

German band RELOCATOR makes a solid debut effort with this self-titled production, and it's easy to understand why the main members of this act refused to let these compositions rest when the original band broke up and decided to form a studio-based project instead.

Musically we're dealing with an instrumental progressive metal act, and the stylistic foundation isn't light years away from the most cliched comparison made when it comes to this general style. The contributions of former Dream Theater keys man Derek Sherinian possibly adding a bit of additional flavour in just that direction. Dark and often grimy guitar riffs is a frequent and recurring aspect throughout, and with dramatic keys surging on top intense and heavy themes are formed. But rather than staying put within this context, which in itself does provide ample possibilities for variation, Relocator opts for more diversity.

An often overlooked philosophy by metal bands is the thought of less is more. This act is aware of that line of thought though, and frequently insert gentler motifs with sparse instrumentation and an emphasis on mellow details. At times reminding me somewhat of the more accessible parts of the Alex Masi lead MCM project.

Another subtle flavour setting thsi band slightly apart are the keyboard textures, which rather often contributes with much more sophisticated motifs than the bog standard symphonic backing for riff cascade which is so much a trademark of the progressive metal genre. I often found myself thinking that a particular passage here might just as well have been a part of a symphonic progressive rock composition, and that the metal riffs underscoring it just happened to be metal in this case.

The use of electric violin does enrich this production quite a lot too, and there are small subtle details to discover throughout that should please the avid listener. The 70's psych inspired guitars given a subservient place in the arrangements on a few occasions throughout the eastern inspired track Aavishkar as an example of just that.

And while I don't think that this is an album that will draw in myriads of new fans to the instrumental progressive metal camp, it is a good and solid production throughout. Opening number Red Vibes the one who impressed me the most, possibly due to being the first foray into this band's musical universe.

Anyhow, if you like your progressive metal to be instrumental chances are that you'll appreciate Relocator's first foray into the world of recording artists. While not attempting to create a musical revolution they do add their own subtle nuances to the proceedings, and are amongst the relative few bands of the genre that can't be said to be direct followers of any of the major influential bands of the genre.