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Well done Progressive Metal with a laid back vibe.-
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| Odd Dimension: Symmetrical |
Progressive Metal
Scarlet Records
March 22nd, 2011
- Farewell to the Stars - 6:59
- Rising Through Light - 6:01
- The Ecstasy of Hopes - 6:18
- Another Shore - 6:21
- The Day Meets the Night - 6:33
- Light Speed Journey - 8:56
- I'll Be Back Once More - 6:25
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| Review Information |
Release length: 47:33
Review posted on March 21st, 2011
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| | Overall Score: 9/10 |
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| Discography |
Discography covers all information available up to day of review and is updated if future albums are reviewed. |
| Full-Length(s): |
Symmetrical (2011)
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| Demo(s): |
A New Dimension (2005)
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| Review |
Odd Dimension is an Italian Progressive Metal group that formed back in 2002, and features two members from the band Secret Sphere, a rather well known Power Metal, as well as other bands. After a long period of time since their 2005 demo, A New Dimension, the band hit the studio and brings up their debut full-length effort, Symmetrical, being released through the Italian record label Scarlet Records. Symmetrical makes for an interesting go through the traditional Progressive ideas with a lighter atmosphere that seems to sway between a Rock and Metal approach, but for the most part stays a solid Metal recording. But the main concern here is that, while it does seem to sway, does it ever really go too far in one direction or another?
The atmosphere of the recording is really where that swaying feeling comes in. While the music is solid and heavy in a more Metal approach, the atmosphere feels lighter, as if listening to a Progressive Rock album. Some tracks, such as the starting song "Farewell to the Stars", really seem to hone in on the steple atmospheric traits that many Progrewssive Rock acts utilize, going almost into a Space Rock kind of vibe, having the ability to take the listener away in that manner with some additional keyboards and terrain-like music that sets a visual overtone for the journey and experiences that sometime occur during the song. It also plays into the concept of the dimension in the band's name. But, while there's some stronger atmospheric Progressive Rock-like qualities to the music, the main sound, while lighter as mentioned, seems to stick with heavier and faster riffs that accentuate the atmosphere, but also just give it that little extra bite to keep it grounded in the Metal world.
While the more traditional Odd Dimension songs sound great and have enough well written material to keep the listener attention, one of the things that works well for the band are the keyboards. In "Farewell to the Stars", they managed to bring in more of a Space Rock-type atmosphere, but other tracks make use of them in varying ways. "The Ecstasy of Hopes" incorporates the keyboards to a more traditional way, being present without overstepping it's boundaries by trying to take on a slight Space Rock vibe, though still setting up an appropriate atmosphere to enhance the song, act as a bridge, or fill in dead air during a sound effect. This track also finds a slightly different approach to the vocals. While they are the typical clean singing approach common in Progressive Metal albums like this, they often seem a little less energetic on this song, but at times really will pick up energy and seem to almost bridge into a Power Metal performance. It's odd, but it all winds up working well after a little while with the song, making it one you need to acquire a taste for.
For the most part, the songs are rather simple, but they are very well done despite that. "The Day Meets the Night" is an exceptional song that takes on a lighter, less complicated challenge, and passes it with ease. The song is addicting, mostly thanks to the softer atmosphere, and the small section about four minutes in when it slows down to a keyboard piece with backing guitars to set up a reflective vibe really enhances the song. Again, some of the more Power Metal tendencies feel slipped in, and it really gives it a unique feeling, adding a little more energy to the music against the laid back sound, and the varying shifts in musical speed and the overall compositions are always transitioned smoothly. But, at the same time there's "Light Speed Journey", which follows "The Day Meets the Night", and really takes the music in a different direction, having a more upbeat sound with keyboards that give it an eighties Rock vibe to it. It's a very interesting song that the listener can't help but put some kind of smile on their face to, and finds the band putting on a rather passionate performance.
Symmetrical by Odd Dimension isn't the most jaw dropping effort to be released, but it does manage to leave a fantastic impression. It's actually disheartening to know it took the band so long to put this album out, but perhaps that's why this is so enjoyable. This released blends some of the best elements of the Progressive Rock and Metal scene, as well as incorporates some subtle Power Metal to the mix, offering up an album that is widely diverse when it comes to variety, though sticks to a general sound to keep the album flowing nicely. The songs have a very laid back vibe to them, though some extra energy here and there wouldn't have hurt it at all, especially in the vocals which, sadly, feel a little more restrained then they should have been outside the track "Light Speed Journey" and "I'll Be Back Once More", the latter of two being yet another acquired taste track. Other then that, there really is no reason to skip past Symmetrical and it's well done Progressive sound that maked Odd Dimension an act to keep your eyes on.
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Digital review copy of this release provided by:
Scarlet Records
via Freeman Promotions.
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