THE SAGARMATHA DILEMMA

An interesting concept to this album about a man who is going through very difficult circumstances and decides to climb this mountain feeling he has nothing to lose. So we go on this journey both physical and emotional with our subject. When he reaches the top he realizes that he wants to live again and so declares "I'm coming down". Some interesting guests on this one like John Green from SINGULARITY, Brett Kull from ECHOLYN, Derek Sherinian from DREAM THEATER and Stu Nicholson from GALAHAD.

"Closer To My Soul / Closer To Heaven" opens with this Far East atmosphere before an explosion of sound arrives before a minute with Gilmour-like guitar. It settles quickly though as vocals and guitar start to lead the way. A calm with lots of atmosphere again 6 minutes in before kicking back in a minute later. The song ends as it began. "The Sagarmatha Dilemma" opens with some pleasant guitar as Stu comes in vocally. Nice. I really like his vocals. This is contrasted with a heavier more uptempo section with Stephane's passionate vocals. Love the guitar solo after 3 minutes. "The Red Mountain" is the longest track at almost 11 minutes. Gentle piano to open as fragile vocals come in. It kicks into a higher gear after 2 1/2 minutes.It turns very spacey 5 minutes in. A nice section with vocals follows. Violin before 7 1/2 minutes followed by a fabulous guitar solo. Some female vocal melodies before it turns FLOYD-like to end it.

"Thin Air" has this heavy guitar riff that sounds just like Page doing "Misty Mountain Hop" but slower. Piano arrives when it calms down after 2 minutes. The contrast continues. Some spoken word samples to end it. "Even If I Was Wrong" is mellow early. Guitar after 2 minues as the tempo picks up. Heavy guitar before 3 minutes and some sampled mellotron. "Radio Sherpa" is where Sherinian does his speed of light keyboard work. Pounding drums follow. Vocal samples come and go. I like the chapman stick 2 1/2 minutes in. All I have to do is think chapman stick and Sean Malone comes to mind. "I'm Coming Down (I Shall Go Back)" opens with gentle guitar and vocals. They both get fuller and more passionate. Violin after 2 1/2 minutes. It's heavier and darker 4 1/2 minutes in. That Far East atmosphere ends the album.

Tough one to rate because there is so much that I like including the concept, but I have to admit that it loses my attention quite a bit as well. So 3.5 stars.