MAZE OF TIME

After the self-pressed mini-album Under The Sun (3 songs) from 2003, Swedish prog formation Maze Of Time released three CD's between 2006 and 2012 (all on the Dutch label Art Performance Production), this review is about their second effort entitled Lullaby For Heroes, from 2008.

With a slightly changed line-up (lead singer Jesper Landen instead of guitarplayer/singer Christer Lindstroem) 'the Mazekeepers' showcase a stunning progress on their second album, after a few listening sessions I noticed that this CD grows and grows! The sound on the 8 compositions alternates between neo-prog, melodic rock, symphonic rock and progmetal. I am very pleased with the tasteful keyboard colouring (from tender piano to bombastic organ and often pleasant interplay with the guitar), the strong English vocals (evoking Uriah Heep singer Bernie Shaw) and the flowing rhythm-section.

But the focal point is the excellent guitarwork by Robert I Erdman: from propulsive heavy riffs to fiery, howling and moving runs. He is obviously inspired by the famous rock guitarists but with an own touch, he succeeds to add an extra dimension to many songs. Especially in Chemical Sleep (Malmsteen-like heavy solo as a perfect end of that song). But also in the splendid track Do Androids: wah-wah drenched and in the final part an exciting build-up solo. And fiery interplay with lush organ in Temple Of The Gods.

The best examples of Mazo Of Time their progress can be heard on the longer compositions Lullaby For Heroes (varied with splendid shifting moods and great work on guitar and keyboards), the alternating Do Androids (tasteful Fender piano and sensational interplay between guitar and keyboards) and the magnum opus Temple Of The Gods (17 minutes): lots of compelling moments with wonderful guitarwork and beautiful organ waves.

A big hand for Maze Of Time, I am sure that this varied and melodic music will please a wide progrock audience!

Masquerade Show (2012) is the band's third album, all of which had been released on Art Performance Production label. Masquerade Show (2012) is my first contact with this Swedish band and right in the beginning we can see that this will be a really interesting Heavy Prog/Symphonic album. After a short intro called '3-angle' we have this epic, 10'37 minutes long track 'Masquerade Show' that gives the album its title. There are so many twisting and turnings on this songs that it's almost impossible to name them all. Just brilliant!

Now, a great opening track and a downhill after that is very common on many records, but I can honestly say that it's not Maze Of Time's case! Next track 'Pandora's Box' is even better! There's a good melody for you to sing along, there's the catchy chorus, there are numerous backing vocals and on top of that a tight instrumental. Second great track in a row! The follow up there is the instrumental 'Dark Matter'. This one is a bit more Space Rock, more room between the notes, less heaviness on the guitars in general but still keeps rocking till the end.

'Mile By Mile' gives continuity to the slower tempo tracks. Basically a ballad that made me think of a mix between Queensryche and Iron Maiden!?! Now, the next track 'Mountain Of Madness' is an incredible adaptation of the novel of the same name written by H.P. Lovecraft in 1936. Heavy, full of twists and really interesting. After a nice piano ballad ('Next Morning') we have a very climatic and somber track named 'Mean Messiah Man Machine'. What helps it to be so gloomy is the low bottom of the band with Jan Persson's bass lines, fat and groovy! 'Predator' is the next track, it begins with an eastern melody full of wha-wha pedal effects and soon it turns out to be really weird (in a good way) and nice track with some strange chords in the verse but with a chorus you can sing together with.

'Humanoid' was the song chosen by the band to close Masquerade Show (2012). This isn't a bad song but it isn't the strongest one as well. Despite having great verses I find the chorus too plain and not very interesting.

All in all, Masquerade Show (2012) is such a great surprise! All along the album Maze Of Time shows us an astonishing writing skill with a terrific production and musicianship. This is an album that will please any Heavy Prog ears for sure! Very recommended!

(Originally posted on progshine.net)

That's not to say Masquerade Show is a bad album, far from it. Though it lacks originality the band are all decent players and turn in a few memorable moments such as instrumental Dark Matter, Predator (a few more displaying the melodic finesse of this and we could have been onto a winner) and Mountain Of Madness. On the ten composition's Maze Of Time's sound is symphonic/neo prog with quite a bit of heavy prog which sometimes enters metal territory. While the band have a grasp of putting together convincing composition's with the requisite twists and turns and dynamics required of your average prog band the weak vocals, lack of strong melodies and ear pricking instrumental workout's is likely to leave Masquerade Show largely forgotten and undiscovered by all but the few. 2 ½ stars.

4(+), fine example of current prog. Prog on in this way.

The album starts with a short opener called Heroes ... Nice tune but not too special. 3*.

Next is the title track, already showing a pretty heavy sound with this one. It's a very good song and to me this was promising for the rest of the album. 3,75*.

Station to station is slightly more mellow at least for the first few minutes. Later on turning into a more standard song in terms of heaviness. Not the best of the album to me, a bit unimpressive. Still 3,25*.

With the fourth track, Playgrounds, we have actually had the lesser half of the album. Also this one is a good song but no more. 3,5*.

Chemical Sleep, part 1&2 suddenly lifts the album to a very high level. I don't know if the band deliberately decided to let the album get better and better as it progresses but it's obvious to me. The guitar is in this song responsable for the increasing level. Great contributions ! 4,5*.

The Great Cosmic Dream is one of the shorter tracks but this one is high in impact and quality. Also here the guitar excells in a catchy song with interesting variation. 4,25*

Do Androids ? is a terrific song and is along with the epical closer the apogee of this release. It's in the same vein as Chemical Sleep but with even more impressive guitar. Especially the second half of the song is heaven for heavy proggers and prog metallists. 4,5*

With this epical closer Temple of the Gods the band is showing all they've got which is an amazing hell of a lot to me. This final track makes you leave the album with a very satisfied feeling, at least that's how it works on me. 4,75*.

Excellent follow up of the debut I have to check out at this point. Another jewel from Sweden Maze of Time appears to be. But as I said in the opening lines: this is no straightforward Symphonic prog like for instance Willowglass but much heavier. If you have no problem with that: check this one out because it's highly recommended ! Fans of Riverside, Magic Pie or The Flower Kings could be in for this one. Four stars easily.

Haze Of Time their sound is very melodic, accessible, tasteful and alternating, between symphonic prog (mid-Genesis) and neo-prog (like IQ) with the emphasis on the latter category. The band hosts dual guitar play (lots of howling soli) and dual keyboards (flashy synthesizer flights), the English vocals are decent. The climates in the eight compositions range from dreamy with twanging guitars to mid-tempo with fiery guitar and bombastic with a heavy keyboard sound. My absolute highlight is Daydreamer: first propulsive guitar riffs and drums, then an exciting part with ominous violin-Mellotron waves, goose bumps! During the rest of this track we can enjoy sensational keyboard work and strong guitar play, from howling and fiery to a raw sound.

I enjoyed this wonderful, a bit polished but very tasteful arranged album and I am sure it will not only please the neo-prog fans but also the symphomaniacs.