REALITY IN FOCUS

Melodic progressive metal from the USA. A rare case when highly skillful and technically brilliant musicians know how to write great songs and to dose the right amount of virtuosity not to overblown their performances. In fact, Magnitude 9 sounds more like their english counterparts than to their native colleagues. Sure enough there are hints of Dream Theater and Fates Warning here and there, but mostly their music is closer to the European style of more melodic bands like Threshold. Strong influences of 80´s power metal is also clear (their faithful cover of Iron Maidens´s Flight Of Icarus is not coincidence).

Reality In Focus is their second effort but it was the first to be released in Brazil, with a different cover and an altered songs running order. My CD has also two instrumental tracks added: Divided By Three and Mataphysical. Both show their more technical and less melodic side. Those tracks will please those who like to hear more technique and instrumental noodling than "song format" However, the "official" CD is just terrific. I really loved their guitar-led sound and their knack for writing fine hooks and melodies. All tracks are at least very good and there are no lows. Songs like No Turning Back and Lost Along The Way are fine examples of fine songwriting and powerful, energetic delivering of all band members. The star of the show is surely Rob Johnson´s absolute fantastic guitar lines that dominates most of the tunes, but the rest group is not far behind (Joseph Anastacio Glean is one who knows hoe to put his keyboards in good use all the time). Vocalist Corey Brown has a fine pair of pipes and an emotional delivering that fits well with the high demanding compositions. Production is also top notch.

Although hardly a groundbreaking record, Reality In Focus is a great piece of work. If you like the more melodic, song oriented side of Prog Metal you can´t miss this one.

Rating: something between 4 and 4.5 stars.