NEAR LIFE EXPERIENCE

This is the second release from the Swedish neo-classical progressive metal band MAYADOME. Their first album was called "Paranormal Activity" and it was released in 1996. I'm surprised that I haven't heard about them before, as they are very talented musicians and their music is technically blending and extremely tight. They also have an excellent singer, Bassel Elharbiti.

Their music is a mix between DREAM THEATER, HELLOWEEN, IRON MAIDEN, KING DIAMOND, Yngwie MALMSTEEN, PAIN OF SALVATION, POWER OF OMENS, VANDEN PLAS and QUEENSRYCHE.

My favourite tracks are "Praise Me For I Have Sinned", "Able to Feel" which contains a nice guest appearance by Tina Gunnarsson on vocals and "Near Life Experience".

I'm sure that MAYADOME got what it takes to be Sweden's next big music export in the progressive metal genre together with PAIN OF SALVATION. MAYADOME is a Near Life Experience!

These Swedish Prog-Metallers went to ground for quite a lengthy time, and about a three year hiatus elapsed between their debut album ("Paranormal Activity", released in 1996) to the time their sophomore effort was unleashed. It was 1999 when MAYADOME emerged again with "Near Life Experience". And assuredly, the Swedes proudly show off their new chops and much improved proficiency achieved during their three years of hiding...the brunt of which must have been spent practicing and fine tuning their craft. What's clear is the fact that MAYADOME are now twice or threefold improved from the unit that released the "Paranormal Activity" debut. The quartet are still playing DREAM THEATER inspired Prog-Metal, but they designedly also augment their music with their own special herbs, spices and sauces ala MAYADOME. Fans of DREAM THEATER will unquestionably be right at home listening to this album. DT fans will no doubt enthusiastically quickly relate to these songs. Meaty staccato guitar riffs, intricate and very energetic drumming, lush keyboards and noteworthy melodic singing. What's encouraging is the fact that you won't hear a riff, beat or lick that's an exact imitation of DT's music. But as a whole, I'd have to say that MAYADOME have not entirely stepped away from DT's shadow. I really enjoy this album, this is some extravagantly well written and arranged heavy Progressive Metal! The crystal clear production also deserves two thumbs up. My only complaint is the slightly flimsy drums sound...too bad, because Teddy Moller's usually robust drumming automatically suffers due to this slight blemish in production. On this album, MAYADOME lost their old vocalist...in my opinion this is a actually a blessing in disguise. Their old singer wasn't that hot, I certainly didn't like his performance on "Paranormal Activity". In fact, I thought the vocals department was the weakest link on that album. A lot of reviews I read also mention something to an extend that on "Paranormal Activity", MAYADOME was a high-quality DT clone plagued with weak vocals. Personally, I thought the vocal delivery was too sluggish and was a grave miss match for the vigorously complex music that MAYADOME were already churning out back then. New vocalist Bassel Elharbiti has unmistakably made MAYADOME much stronger as a unit. Elharbiti's gentle, more melodic and more controlled approach are just what MAYADOME needed to take their music to the next level. "Near Life Experience" is another must have Prog-Metal album...and if you haven't done so, at least give this album a listen or two. Too bad MAYADOME broke-up not long after this album's release. Part of the line-up went on to form LOCH VOSTOK, who I think have released a demo-CD or two. * DD - Paradigma Records / Star 105.5 FM (Surabaya, Indonesia) *

Mayadome from Sweden is one of unfairly forgotten progressive metal bands from the '90. With two albums under their belts this band got in that period lots of aclaimed critics and was loved byt he fans, but somehow they didn't make it in prog metal scene. Near life experience is the second offer from 1999 issued at small label Siegen Records. Well, I got this album for years in my collection somehow I've forgott I have it and because of that I didn't make a review so far. This is impressive progressive metal, quite original in places, this is not another DT clone as may someone expected, this is pure prog metal without influences from power metal or symphonic metal, is progressive metal of the highest calibre and I really love it. Complex arrangements with lots of tempo changes, absolutly impressive instrumental sections, here are some of the best druming parts I've ever heared on a prog metal band, very elegant chops, complicated and full of intresting moments. The guitar is awesome and really keeps the album on another level and in combination with keyboards this release is really something to have in your collection. The musicianship overall is tight and very strong on every piece, but specially on first 4 pieces who are the strongest from here, fascinating instrumental sections. Aswell this album has a new voice of Bassel Elharbiti, who fiting perfectly into this type of music. All in all tracks like Scent Of Lilac with jaw dropping vocal parts , Praise Me For I Have Sinned or Able to feel are real winners in prog metal scene of the '90. Is sad because they disbanded in 2000 after only 2 albums released , the head of the band and main composer Teddy Möller formed a couple of years later another band named Lock Vostok a progressive metal band with moderate succes since now.. I really love this album and because of that I'll give 4 stars easy and recommended for sure, one of the best little known prog metal albums ever.