ALL TOO HUMAN

All too Human is one of the unknown progressive metal bands from USA, trying to survive in the jungle of this scene, if they succeded..., I don't realy know exactly, musicaly speaking a tend to say yes, comercialy, for sure no, either way a band to watch and listen if you are a prog metal fan. Formed in mid to late '90's releasing so far 3 albums All too Human gained some respect in progressive metal underground last decade. Their second album from 2002 named Entropy is, at least for me a killer one in this field. Contrary to what rating show here, this is a very solid , well written and played album, from first to last tune. Very good musicianship, keeping in mind that the band members got a helping hand on keybords from derk Sherinina, who done a great work overall. The band sounds similar or if you combine Fates Warning in their glory days+ Queensryuche aswell golden period + Dream Theater, even these influence many bands have, All too Human succeded not to become a folower of that monster bands, they are and for sure leaders , musicaly if not in popularity. Very crafted pieces, lenghty, well developed with twists on every second they play and above all, excellent vocal lines sung by Don Duzan, I like a lot this kind of voice in prog metal, fiting like a glove to this kind of music, excellent. Every piece is a winner, nothing is boring, , guitars make some spectacular chops combined with the energic drum parts and with virtuosity of Sherinian keybords a delight to listen, realy. Maybe to many listners this album is a usual one, to me was a very good surprise. Pieces like Jester, instrumental Arrhythmia or title track sow how talented this bad is, but with all that they remein totaly unoticed to larger public, not even prog metal fans heared about them. Anuway I can't give a lower rate then 4 stars, very strong album with everything a prog metal must have. Recommend and don't be fooled by the low rating overall, try it worth every spin.

I must feel that I have an obligation to review releases by lesser-known progressive metal bands. As is the case with ALL TOO HUMAN. I was interested in having a listen to Entropy, their second album, when I heard that key-maestro Derek Sherinian was a guest musician on this album. Although he makes very few appearences on the album, when he does break lose (like on the instrumental opening section of the title track), he brings that Falling into Infinity/PLANET X vibe to a table that is already made up of Awake-era DREAM THEATER (without the keys), early QUEENSRYCHE, and FATES WARNING.

Don DuZan has a very strong voice, an almost exact carbon-copy of John Arch and Geoff Tate. He tears apart songs like the title track, the biting ''E-Killer'', and the epic ''Haunted''. His shrieks on ''The Jester'' aren't amateurish either.

Clint Wilson is a gifted guitarist, playing like a less flashy Petrucci, showing his full potential on ''Arrythmia'', and his softer side on ''White Stones'' Although at times, he emulates Petrucci a bit too much.

Maurice Taylor is chock full of original basslines, especially during ''The Jester'' and the last minute of ''Arrythmia''. He is truly an underrated bassist, showing years of experience.

To add to the rhythm section is the energetic drumming of Chris Lucci. He shows great variety in his playing, from double-pedal (''Entropy''), to the simpler rhythms with extra clashes and bangs (''The Jester''), to just plain crazy, (opening of ''Arrythmia'').

All in all, a fairly good independent release from ALL TOO HUMAN (the production is nothing to sneeze at, at all). Despite the fact that Derek Sherinian is on this record, it is fairly average and reeks of DT, but is sadly ignored. If you can track it down, it is a good item to add to the collection.