ANIMATED

Judging from its cover, I don't think this is a prog or metal music as the artwork implies something 'industrial' than progressive. But it's good that i fact Filippino does not only produce Arnel Pineida as lead singer of prominent rock band Journey but also having progressive metal band like Fuseboxx. I have played this album in its entirety more than three times and find the music is interesting to explore. There are strong elements of progressive metal in their music even though the band also put some flavors of jazz-rock in their music. I think the music, overall, is good and the band is promising to be one of rising stars in prog music from Asia.

Unlike typical progressive metal music with high energy opening music usually using orchestra in fast tempo style, this album 'Overture' (4:49) sets the tome in ambient mode. Even though it sounds so long but the opening is quite interesting to enjoy before the listeners are brought into high energy music that follows. The next instrumental 'Animated' (5:58) is really an excellent track with fast tempo style, packed with acrobatic work of keyboard, guitar combined with heavy riffs. This track blew me away at fist listen. The following 'Reflections' (6:09) is a mellow track with female vocal. I think it's too soon for the band to offer this kind of mellow style right after excellent previous track. Yes, the music moves in crescendo into higher energy style with riffs but this track is predominantly a mellow track. 'Pagbalik' (4:18) starts off with nice piano followed with mellow music that accompanies female vocal. Like previous track the bass guitar plays its solid lines throughout the track especially during mellow segments enriched with keyboard solo.

The band tries to lift-up the music with the next fifth track 'Columns' (5:45) where it has nice opening in progressive metal style with some symphonic textures. Unfortunately when the vocal enters, it tends to bring the style into mellow even though sometimes there are riffs as well. 'No Glory' (7:38) lifts up the music into higher energy. 'Uyayi' (7:34) is a track that inserts jazz-rock style in the middle of the music - the interlude. 'Twilight' (4:16) has more jazzy style especially with its piano solo. 'Hibang' (5:11) is basically a nice ballad with powerful female vocal. This track has excellent interlude in relatively complex arrangements. 'Araw' (5:06) has boring part at the end especially with its uncoordinated children choirs that do not sound match with the music. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW