MIND OVER FOUR

Mind Over Four was a metal band that basically sounds like a classic nineties progressive metal group with a classic metal singer who - most strangely - believes himself to be a hardcore punk singer. Think perhaps of an even more expressive form of Faith No More-like metal. The vocalist, Spike Xavier, reminds me of what very enthusiastic kids sound like when the impersonate some-one. He fills up the songs with these extremely expressive lines that really fit the musical themes, but aren't so much like though-out melodies. He just is and when he hits it right it is very original and exciting. The guitars by Mike Jensen are full of Iron Maiden like double harmonies and his riffs are just all great. I'd say a little more progressive and inventive than for instance Fates Warning, yet in that same vain. Some of it reminds me a bit of the better moments on a King Diamond record. Another reverence would be mid-career Voivod, another metal band that would show traces of punk in the vocal department. The compositions are all very inspired; original ideas on harmonic and dissonant riffs, rhythmically always in motion, energetic and really concise. The band switches easily from one atmosphere to the next. Moreover, another band would probably have made a 15 minute longer record with the same ideas. Because of the odd vocals this will put some people of for sure, but I would say this could be a real gem for fans of progressive metal music in the vein of Fates Warning, Voivod and Faith No More. I myself like this record for its forceful display of raw talent. It is quite lively for an otherwise somewhat sterile genre.

In 1993, propably the best rock/metal journalist in Europe,Xaris Karaolides of the greek Metal Hammer,wrote that Mind Over Four is possibly the best band in the world. Very few were aware of this band at the time and I really wonder how many know them now.It's a pity because MOF still are one of the greatest ''unknown'' bands in the history of progressive metal. ''Half Way Down'' was released in 1993 and it is definitely their masterpiece. It is almost impossible to describe their sound,in fact MOF created their own musical style. I assume we call it progressive because it can't be categorised elsewhere. Of course, MOF's music was very technical-enough to be labelled as prog- but there were countless other elements that made them unique. There was anger in their music, there was a raw street attitude, even hardcore vibes, combined with metal harmonies, high class musianship and funky/jazz grooves. Especially the rhythm section was far ahead of its time, (don't forget that modern mathcore bands were going to school back then), while Spike Xavier's bizarre vocals ranged from power metal highs to punk screams and Mike Jensen's guitar riffs sounded almost mystical-hugely influenced by Alex Lifeson. If you can imagine something between Faith No More, Rush, Queensryche and Suicidal Tendencies, you will start to have an idea about MOF's art. It is obvious that this band was a victim of the early '90's. Too progressive for the alternative masses, too weird for metallers. They dissolved in 1995 after a quite confused album (Empty Hands) but fortunately they managed to leave their mark as true pioneers of hard progressive music.