YOU NEED TO KNOW YOURSELF

French band WEEND'O was formed back in 2008, initiated by vocalist Laetitia and guitarist Terence. They have one full album to their name so far, "You Need to Know Yourself", which was self released by the band in 2012. They have since issued an acoustic live DVD, "Fairytaleacoustic", again self released by the band in 2013. This review covers their debut album from 2012.

What we have here is a somewhat odd production as seen from a contents point of view. The album consist of 8 compositions, with a further three tracks consisting of radio edits. The unusual aspect here is that the CD opens with radio edits of two of the compositions, the extended original versions appearing towards the end, and then the third radio edit has been chosen as the concluding track of the CD. A curious choice for me, especially as the best of the radio edits, at least to my ears, is the final one.

Be that as it may be, musically we're dealing with a band I guess can be placed more or less within a similar context as bands such as The Gathering. We have compositions alternating between calmer passages and harder edged sequences, the former defined by delicate plucked guitar details and smooth keyboard details, the latter by harder edged and often beefy guitar riffs that are loud and dominant without ever coming across as rough or gritty. Music easy to listen to, where the powerful and controlled lead vocals of Laetitia is given the limelight all along. She has a finely controlled delivery, able to convey the softer details as well as the more emotionally laden and dramatic ones, without ever approaching the wild or untamed. At times she's verging on the operatic, which has been kind of fashionable ever since Nightwish became popular, and I guess Weend'o should have a fairly strong appeal to those who like that kind of music even if their chosen turf is rather different from a stylistic point of view.

Strong bass motifs and elegant drum details are other defining traits of this production, and the band even includes some touches of textured instrument details with half a foot inside post rock territories at times to good effect, as documented on Betrayal. Clever use of electronic details also flavor some of the compositions quite nicely, while some guitar details on the song Deadline at least to my mind brought forth associations to bands such as Iron Maiden, this association restricted to a limited few details I'll hastily add, as the composition overall is rather far removed from the sound of those metal pioneers.

The end result is an interesting debut album, and apart from a couple of songs that left me somewhat indifferent this is an easy to like and pleasant run through accessible progressive rock with distinct metal orientation, and a production that should have a strong general appeal to those who enjoy harder edged, elegant metal-flavored rock of the accessible kind.

Okay, pay attention as there may be questions later. French prog quartet Weend'' released this their debut album in 2012. From 2013 they performed four new arrangements created by Los Angeles-based International Prog Award nominee Stephan DeReine, producer and keyboardist for many international artists worldwide. These arrangements were reflected in a second version of the album, which has not previously been made available until now. But even this is still unusual, in that it starts with two radio edits of songs which are available in totality later in the album. This isn't a practice I've come across prior to this, as generally edits are put at the end of the disc when the listener has had the opportunity to listen to the song in its entirety as the band originally intended. Strange.

The band is built around somewhat unusual arrangements and layering of heavy prog, combined with the wonderful vocals of Laetitia Chaudemanche, who also provides keyboards. The line-up is completed by Terence N'Guyen (guitar, arrangements), Maxime Rami (bass) and Nathanel Buis (drums). Having not heard the original version of the debut, I am unable to comment as to whether there is much audible difference, but whoever felt that the arrangement to close 'Experience' was the right one needs their bumps read. The Gathering are an obvious reference point, although to me Weend'' is more progressive and not as metallic and symphonic as that band can be. Some of the songs feel direct and have purpose, while others seem to meander along before they finally get to the point, and one wonders what would have happened if they had been able to get a strong producer working with them. While this shows promise, and there are times when they definitely fire, this often feels more as a work in progress of a band somewhat unsure of their direction. That they felt they needed to address the arrangements within a year of releasing the album the first time only cements that view.

It is interesting, and the vocals are very good indeed, but it needs to be more concise with an understanding of what they are trying to achieve.