TERRA INCOGNITA: A LINE IN THE SAND

A Line in the Sand is the second chapter in what may become an ongoing series of concept albums from Progrock Records, issued under the project name Roswell Six. And for this sophomore effort, label stalwart Henning Pauly supplies all the songs and instrumentation, while the guest stars covers the vocal parts.

Progressive metal bordering on heavy metal is the foundation this time around, where heavy riffs and rich symphonic backdrops are key features alongside the plethora of vocal talent. Eastern and Arabian tinged textures is used effectively throughout to add an exotic tinge to the proceedings, and a couple of nice ballads are inserted to add variety.

Personally I found this album much more interesting than the first one. Opening track Barricade is a monster, a brilliant and engaging effort all the way. And while none of the songs that follow manage to compete with the opening number in quality, quite a few of them are highly interesting efforts nontheless. And the jubilant chorus of final piece Victory, with a few nods in the direction of gospel in the way it has been crafted, will stick to your brain for quite some time after encountering it.

Second in line of three one-man project's album, based on Kevin J. Anderson novel "The Map Of All Things". First project's album was based on the novel " Edge Of The World" of the same author. Album is completed with well illustrated inlet book with all lyrics, pictures and both albums and books pictures. Good marketing.

As almost all one-man projects, music there has that specific " flat" sound. Never played live in whole, this is product of multi layered mixing/recording technologies, where recording studio is as much important instrument as any other used to play this music. Technically musicianship is competent if slightly boring, for sure you heard such music (often in better versions) hundred times, but if you're not interesting in new things too much, possibly you wouldn't be very disappointed.

Main trick to add some spices in that release and at the same time attract more listeners is guest vocalists. Steve Walsh is possibly best known name between other 9 (!) guest vocalists (Arjen Lucassen add some backing vocals as well).

Album is conceptual and in fact sounds as audio-musical illustration to novel. Possibly the idea was each book and album will help to sell each other. As a person obviously for a some decades too old to be attracted by such kind of books ("... Brick To Brick, Stone By Stone We Build The Wall To Protect Us All..." ), I can't speak about lyrics there.

Speaking about music, it's kind of below average for real progressive metal standard but possibly not so bad for one-man project. Hardly innovative or even interesting, I believe it could find it's listener. Just I don't know any person I could recommend this album for listening.

My rating is 2+, can't round it to 3 ( or to name it " good album but non-essential"). More release for fans only.

Same project, different band

A Line In The Sand was the second album released under the name of Roswell Six. Somewhat strangely, however, almost none of the people involved in the production of the first album returned for the recording of this one. The creative leader of the debut, Erik Norlander, is not present here at all. He has been replaced by Henning Pauly who performs all the instruments on this album! As on the previous album, the vocals are handled by a cast of guest performers including Steve Walsh (of Kansas fame) and Charlie Dominici (the original singer of Dream Theater). Michael Sadler of Saga is the only lead vocalist that appears on both of the Roswell Six albums. The strongest connection between the two albums is supposedly the story upon which it is based.

Given the very different cast involved it is not surprising that this album sounds different than the first one. There is a stronger traditional Heavy Metal/Blues Rock/Hard Rock/AOR foundation this time around. It is not at all bad music as such, but the songs are somewhat weaker on this one. The opener is good track, though. The vocalist here is Steve Walsh, and the sound is not unlike what can be found on his recent solo albums.

Overall, I find this album decent but rather unremarkable. Recommended for fans and collectors of (mildly progressive) conceptual Metal.