CRIMSON SKIES

The band Cloudscape is currently a rising star in Sweden, and with reason, since their blend of melodic metal with some progressive elements suites the standard metal listener, but it's also interesting enough to please the more prog interested listener (though they are no Dream Theater in innovativity).

This album is their second release, the sequel to their self titled debut album from 2004/2005 (the release was delayed in Europe). To compare it with the last album, this one is alot darker. Where the debut seemed to be going for a melodic power metal direction at times, this one is definitely heavier, and at times more progressive.

Especially notable about Cloudscape is their vocalist, Mike Anderson. He has a very full, deep voice, sometimes a bit like Jørn Lande, but even deeper. The vocal performances on this album is great, since his voice really suites they're dark atmosphere.

The production is perhaps the best point of this album beside the vocals. It's crystal clear. You never miss a note on guitars or basses, or a beat on the drums. Pontus Lindmark and Anders "Theo" Theander has done a great job with this one.

The rest of the music consists of very tight and well performed heavy music, a lot of great dual guitar melodies and riffs, nice and atmospheric keyboards and very good drumming.

The album's weakness is the song writing at some points. The album kicks of with Shapeshifter, my favourite song of the album, and Shadowland and And then the rain... are great songs as well, but then, unfortunately, the next songs are somewhat boring, with not a lot of interesting elements at all. But when You've reached this point, do not despair, because the great stuff that was in the beginning will come back on the second half of the album, with great songs like, Breach in my sanity, Demon tears and Will we remain.

In the end, I don't think this album is a masterpiece, the songwriting is still lacking at some points, and they could use some more progression, but that is the direction they've taken, and with this album, they have really made clear what the Cloudscape sound is, and that there is a lot to expect from this little Swedish band.

Weel, if you ask my opinion, I'll tell you: there is nothing outrageous in this band and nothing outstanding either, this is just a normally composed and performed heavy music. Maybe the thing is that I've become tired of such music, so it didn't impress me. So my verdict is that it is GOOD but NOT essential. I didn't find any track to leave as a memory, the only interesting fact is the cover of the disc - it's not as ordinary as the music)

Have you noticed that Sweden is the land of progressive music especially during the 90's and 00's era? There are so many bands coming out from this land including Cloudscape, Wolverine, The Flower Kings, Pain of Salvation and so many more. Cloudscape is another band in the vein of heavy side of progressive music. From the outside I would consider that the music of Cloudscape is not really progressive, there are not so many curved lines in terms of composition and structure. In terms of performance, they are good musicians who know how to cook a good music.

The opening track "Shapeshifter" how good and powerful their composition is. It starts with pulsating keyboard followed with the blast of drums, bass, and guitar to accompany vocal. The guitar solo is stunning especially when it's combined with keyboards at the back. "Shadowland" sounds to me like having a Moslem Prayer's call "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great) at the start of the track in loop sound, followed with metal music. "And Then the Rain..." calms down the music with a medium tempo opening / intro part featuring nice guitar work and riffs that accompany vocal. There are not many breaks or changes in mood of this track, similar with the first two tracks.

The next two tracks "Take the Blame" and "The Last Breath" are in the similar vein. But when it reaches track 6 "Psychic Imbalance" it surprises me as the opening part is ambient psychedelic followed with music with fast tempo in the vein of progressive metal. "Hope" represents the symphonic exploration of the band without sacrificing their main competence as progressive metal expert. The symphonic nuance flows to the next track through wonderful opening part "Breach In My Sanity".

Do not expect something truly progressive from this album even though this is a good album by Cloudscape. Fans of Evergrey, Royal Hunt

Cloudscape is progressive metal band hailing from Sweden, reaching to the second album in 2006 named Crimson skies. I was pleasently surprised about their music and their potential. Solid progressive metal who relies more on vocal arrangements and guitar chops then on keybords escapades like other bands. Anyway the kybords doesn't have an dimportant role on this album and in entire concept but brings a certain solid and catchy atmosphere to the whole album. Some parts are simply amazing like Shapeshifter , Shadowland or Psychic Imbalance, excellent song writting and special musicianship allover, really nice. The guitar done some fantastic chops on some pieces with nice breaks and great solos, is some passages is almost power metal but very well played, remind me of Suspyre for ex or Minwarp Chamber in compositional style, but also the vocal duties held by Micael Andersson are great. He is also a member of another progressive metal (who I've reviewed in the nearly past) from Switzerland named Silent Memorial. The vocal parts are fantastic, very good vocalist with impressive range, very distinctiv tone and some moments on this album are simply amazing. Overall a good album, that is for sure, but my taste in progressive metal needs more keybords interluded with the rest, a thing that happens only on some pieces and even there sporatdicaly. 3 stars for sure, a good band with potential and with solid songwritting. Needed to be checked more often by prog metal litners.

CLOUDSCAPE is one of the sure values of the European prog metal scene!This band has an enormous potential and the high caliber of the skilled musicians is doubled with an amazing vocalist MIKE ANDERSON-a guy with a fantastic voice indeed!All the albums released by CLOUDSCAPE are in a crescendo tempo and this second one -CRIMSON SKIES is a pure prog metal jewel!This is modern prog metal,where the neo classical roots are mixed in a very efficient way with modern recording technology and elements of DREAM THEATER formula!If we try to compare CLOUDSCAPE,that's simple-there are many bands in this style-VANDEN PLAS,CIRCUS MAXIMUS,POVERTY'S NO CRIME,PAGAN'S MIND-but CLOUDSCAPE has an amazing melodic potential and the songs are definitely orientated pro song-pro melody!The production is top indeed,each instrument has a wonderful sound and the whole ensemble of the compositions sound in harmony and perfect balance between technicity-high class indeed-and great melodies and vocal chorus!All the tracks are fantastic-no weak song-believe me,and for an album of more than 1 hour-the audition of CRIMSON SKIES-is a pleasant and passioned experience!The cover is superbe too.MATTIAS NOREN brand is a guarantee-but it strangely reminds me about the American band EVENT and it's first album!4.5 STARS for a marvelous prog metal album far superior to the prog metal average quality albums,a true pearl in this genre!