HOPE TO SEE ANOTHER DAY

This is really a different record. Being a fan of both Collage and Mirek Gil's solo CD Alone, I thought it was worth checking out this band Believe*. Well, after many listenings I should warn everyone who haven't heard it yet that "Hope To See Another Day", aside from some guitar solos, has nothing to do with Collage or Mr. Gil's solo album. In fact, it has very little to do even with neo progressive as far as I see it.

Upon first hearings I should say I did not like it at all. It sounded like a mixture of prog metal, grunge vocals plus some violin solos here and there. But, interesting enough, the more I heard the CD the more I found myself enjoying it. The vocals are the hardest part to sink in, sometimes sounding too american and modern for my taste (as well as the basic guitar riffs). but once you get over with that you find the music to be quite challenging and melodic. The guitar and violin solos are great, the keyboards, subtle, the rhythm section, heavy and precise, the vocalist has a decent voice. Believe* borders the metal, neo prog and other rock styles, even grunge (Alice In Chains, because of the vocals) but actually they come out on their own, I can't really recall any band to compare. Very interesting!

A good record, but not for everyone's taste. I recommend it, if you like to hear something new and stylish defying.