PROG AROUND THE WORLD

I found this compilation from Helsinki Library and added it here. The only artist I know in advance are OZRIC TENTACLES. Quite often I'm not very satisfied with these samplers containing newer, nearly unknown bands from various countries: the music often turns out to be more or less metal-oriented. I'm writing this as I'm listening the CD. The two first ones (from Canada and Hungary) fall into that category. Nothing to separate them from dozens of marginal prog bands nowadays, sadly. Intense rhythm, hard playing, layers of synths. LIQUID TRIO EXPERIMENT seem to feature well-known musicians; Tony Levin, Mike Portnoy and Jordan Rudess offer an instrumental track from the album "Spontaneous Combustion". No notable interest to me, just jam-like music to show off their playing talents.

Italy's DERDIAN: yet another riff-loaded prog metal that I'm not going to listen for another round. The same words for the instrumental by guitarist Ethan Brosh from Israel. LEMUR VOICE from Netherlands also play hectic, hard stuff that for a while gave a hint of promise of symphonic Neo-Prog I might return to... but no thanks.

Then the OZRICS with a track from "The Floor's Too Far Away". It gives a nice, spacey contrast but frankly there are more Ozric albums available that I ever care to borrow. The usual stuff, not among their finest for sure. Brazil's KHALLICE opens up with a passionate piano and immediately makes it the most interesting this far, but the singer is annoying and the music turns too soon to be the umpteenth follower of Dream Theater. Good bye, next! ... and next. And next. Chrissake what a waste of time listening thru this. Also France's ANTHROPIA sounds exactly the same as they all do. And this scene holds the word PROG. Jesus! I can't help but I become angry with this kind of noise. The best track (which however is not enough to play this disc another time) is the last one by a Swedish pair of guitarists (taken from a V.A. project "Guitars That Ate My Brain").

So, this CD was definitely not my cup of tea at all. Only for those prog metal fans who want to know more similar artists from around the world.