ANYWHERE BUT HOME

Dropshard

Progressive Metal

3.63 | 35 ratings

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Finnforest
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator

Cloudy day music with nice contrasts

Dropshard is a Milan based progressive metal/heavy rock band who have released an impressive debut album with "Anywhere But Home." The first band they reminded me of was fellow Italians Novembre whose "Materia" album also had a cloudy, grey sky melancholia which Dropshard also taps into. But it's a sonically lovely sadness when it comes. I think Riverside has to be an influence on these guys as well. The album's long suite is very guitar oriented with vocals and vocal harmonies that are often soothing to the music's heaviness (vocals are English btw). While the synths are often modern and atmospheric, even neo-proggish, what makes the experience for me are those little serene interludes that are reminiscent of Italian rock...the traditional piano, acoustic guitar, even a little bit of flute in there. The electric leads can be really soaring and emotional placing presence above any kind of shredding or bravado. The drumming rocks but is restrained enough to not take over the recording, something which spoils certain albums for me. My favorite moments come during the instrumental break of "A Cold Morning" featuring a lovely blending of the guitar solo with flute. "Anywhere But Home" is an engaging and recommended softer metal album which will please a wide variety of listeners. The debut also benefits from a 34 minute length which I love, most albums do not need to be 75 minutes long just for the hell of it. Kudos on the wonderful album cover art. A bonus track is also included. This would appear to be a band with good potential to go places compositionally, even commercially.

Finnforest | 3/5 | 2011-9-3

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