DARWIN'S RADIO

Anyway, Darwin's radioheads combine neo-proggish melodicity and prominent keys, almost-metallic heavy guitar and emotive vocals and personal lyrical themes more common to alternative rock. Their debut album (sadly, it appears as if there only gonna be two) features several well-written, if unoriginal, multi-part and multi-mood songs, a radio hit wannabe in Stronger, a pleasant instrumental in Eccentric Orbits.

Songs have a typical prog structure of long intro-energetic part-softer part-solos-return to main theme-extended finish. Melodies and solos are infectious enough to air guitar to or listen while driving long-distance, but kinda generic if you are aiming not just for listening pleasure but some new discovery. I also have a problem with the buzzy guitar sound. Declan Burke is a great guitarist and a competent singer, plays solid riffs and solos, but the constant feedback sometimes drowns out everything else and make songs sound similar to the ear, even though they aren't. And I would also cut down on the super-long burning finishes.

This band I got interested into mainly because of the name (what...it's a cool name). So, I decided to give it a listen, and...I loved it. They where the perfect formula for me at the time. Amazing vocalist, blinding guitars, amazing instrumental work and epic song structuring and formulas. So...it was obvious I was going to get it.

All in all, this is a brilliant album. Chocked full of mostly everything I love, but I think the real highlight is Dec Burke. The mastermind behind the band, his guitar playing is phenomenal and his vocals are even better.

Now, the album does have some minor flaws. Sometimes, the band can go too much into neo prog territory, and at times sound a little bit like a Genesis/IQ rip off. But I think what saves this is the metal elements of the songs. Yes, that's right...these guys seem to be a prog metal band in neo sheep prog clothing. Another of the albums flaws is the mixing. Now, I will give it to these guys...they did make this band totally self funded and the material outshines the small poor quality of sound, but...the material is enough to save it.

By the way...these guys have broken up now, and it's a massive shame because with this album, it really seems they had something very special.

1. The Illusion Is Freedom - A very dramatic Genesis like song. It easily could have been split into parts. It is a song of constant and quite epic build ups. Musically wise it's flawless. Would have liked to have heard Dec belt a good bit in the song, but it was still a great performance. I do think it's the weakest track on the album, but still a pretty decent and well crafted epic. 9/10

2. Breathe It In - One of the heaviest songs on the album. Great hooks and some really powerful vocals from Dec. The guitar sound in this song has quite an industrial feel to It as well. 10/10

3. The Age Of Broken Reason - Ok...this has to be one of my favourite prog rock/metal songs ever. Whenever that mellotron intro hits, I get shivers up and down my spine. The hook gives me some good oul shivers as well. In many ways, this song gives me the same impression Porcupine Tree's Anaesthetize does...and if your a fan on that song, you need to hear this one. This is just spellbinding. 10/10

CONCLUSION: The recording isn't the best yes...the band aren't a massive name...they will probably be forgotten about...but...this album rules. I really don't know why these guys didn't get a lot of attention with this album, because they had a lot of talent and where one of the most interesting prog bands to come out of England in the past few years. It's so sad these guys broke up, because I really think this album was a stepping stone for what could have been another underlooked prog classic.

8.6/10

RIP Darwin's Radio

A great debut indeed, ''Eyes of the World'' falls into the category of modern Neo Prog with strong symphonic and heavier leanings as proposed by bands such as SUBSIGNAL, FROST, ARENA or MTSYERY.A compilation of eight short and semi-long tracks with a fantastic production, nice vocals and bombastic still melodic musicianship is there to satisfy any fan of the genre.The longer compositions are trully interesting, full of impressive heavy breakouts, keyboard/piano- led symphonic leanings, expressive lyrics and plenty of changing moods, not far from Westworth's previous attempts with Grey Lady Down ,albeit with a more intense atmosphere overall.The inspired changes between grandiose moments and calmer, vocal-based material are another one of the band's positive assets.The short ones are satisfying as well, definitely with catchier arrangements and powerful rhythmic parts, still played with a professional sound and artistic approach.The guitars become almost metallic, the synthesizers are more sharp, Burke's singing becomes more crunchy and the material is quite rocking and highly memorable.

Very good debut with solid musicianship and some impressive moments as well.Strongly recommended to all fans of modern Progressive Rock, Neo Prog and Heavy/Symphonic Rock...3.5 stars.

Darwin's Radio's second album is a record containing only three songs, each over 10 minutes, but none of them feeling the length at all. A spectacular display of how neo-prog is really not just an 80's fad of synth solos and flashy vocals.

The opener, "The Illusion is Freedom" is the longest, at 19 minutes, but seems to swing through it without boring, like much of the album. Piano leads the way through this one, with a nice opening section, and little touches of virtuosity throughout. A middle section has a couple of nods to Neal Morse, with a very symphonic feel in places. The lyrics are another sort of anti the machine sort, but more classy and less angry, like most songs with those themes. A very good song. Replayable, despite it's length, and some great vocal melodies for those who love singing as loud as they can (which I do, a lot)

The next is "Breathe It In", the shortest (lol, short) at 11.5 minutes. This song has a heavy guitar feel throughout, as opposed to the piano and synths of the opener, and would fit well in the heavy prog category on its own. I suppose it's good Darwin's Radio have made each song a different style, since there are only 3. This song is the best melodically, although the distorted riff can be a bit distracting at times. More nice piano touches and the classic neo-prog synths give this one a nice layer. Probably my favourite on the album, but maybe just because this is the best to sing really loudly.

Finally, "The Age Of Broken Reason", which returns to a softer style done in the opener, but is more guitar/synth based as opposed to piano. Some more nice lyrics, for those who like dystopian sort of stuff, and has probably the best solo of the album.

An easy 5 stars, and I know I only really give 5 star reviews, because I only review albums I adore basically. Get this if you like neo-prog, catchy melodies, piano, long songs or just if you want something new.

The Illusion Is Freedom - 10/10 Breath It In - 10/10 Age of Broken Reason - 10/10

My Concluusion? I think this is the first time i ever gave every song on a band's album 10 out of 10 and rightly so, prog fan? you NEED to hear this band.

And while the opening track The Illusion Is Freedom is a bit too much prog-by-numbers for my personal taste, a nice but predictable multisectioned epic with distinct Genesis influences, the following two numbers was much more interesting as far as I'm concerned.

Blending in metal elements in a pretty similar (but better!) manner like Sylvan did a few years ago, these two ventures explore a darker musical universe. With a distinct guitar theme shared with the bass on Breathe It In and several intriguing instrumental motifs for final effort Age of Broken Reason, both these numbers are very well made affairs. Somewhat unpredictable too, which is a nice bonus.

And while there's nothing truly original to be found here, this is an enjoyable effort nontheless. Especially if you're fond of metal-tinged Neo, obviously.

The opening song The Illusion is Freedom is pretty mindblowing at first few listens but after 10 times I started to doubt if it would stand the test of time but that could also be a personal thing. It's a slightly overwhelming track at the beginning, starts to calm halfway but then it appears to be building up for an impressive finale. I'm really curious right now what I will think of this one in two years time or so. The other two tracks are a bit shorter and somewhat less impressive but still of roundabout 4 star level to me.

I can conclude with more or less the same statements as with the debut: if you like heavy accessible neo prog this one ought to be checked out. If you want more original and challenging prog you can leave it though. Still an excellent release in my book. 4 stars.