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These are hard times
for metal. We have a strong "economy"
(numerous bands), but we feel very
poor inside. We are not satisfied
with the quality of the trite music
that they offer us, while experimentation
is often an utter limit that some
pursue just to satisfy their egomania.
Subterranean Masquerade, a young US
band, probably will be accused of
such intentions, due to the fact that
-in their search of quality- they
overload their music with many contradicting
musical elements. Personally I believe
that behind their endeavor lies a
true need for creating something unique
and believe me, their music is unique,
at least for the metal domain. Few
times we have listened to something
so controversial and provoking. Even
the most open-minded believers of
the progressive aspect of heavy music
will find it hard to comprehend the
very nature of "S.A.D."
Subterranean Masquerade deliver eight
tracks of progressive metal that,
as righteously says the press release
by their company, questions the limits
of metal. Perhaps this will be the
principal risk of the release. Their
music is an ambitious mixture of heavy
metal, jazz, folk, classical, and
ethic music. Thanks to their guest
participants, like Kobi Farhi (Orphaned
Land) who grants his ethnic oriental
scent in the closing part of "No
Place Like Home" and Paul Khur
from November's Doom who darkens with
his voice the atmosphere, Subterranean
Masquerade manage to cohesively link
the pieces of this puzzle. The other
talented musicians contribute to the
global essence of S.M. music and with
jazzy rhythms, saxophones, trombones
and pianos land us in a field of experimentation
where more popular forms of music
challenge our "metal spirit".
At the technical
level, I have to note that the production
could be better. The guitars are low
mixed and the outcome is to miss the
enjoyment of some very interesting
themes, which sometimes remind the
extraterrestrial intelligence of Psychotic
Waltz. The cover is fantastic; a pleasant
surprise from the lord of digital
illusions, Travis Smith, who for once
denied his electronic magic and created
something in total agreement with
the narrated story of the wandering
and adventurous anonymous hero "X".
In conclusion "Suspended
Animation Dreams" is a very
demanding record and you should approach
it with cautiousness. Although I have
listened to it countless times, I
haven't yet decided if I like
it or not. However I have evidences
that it's worth to deal with
Subterranean Masquerade. It is adventurous,
like its hero, and strives to extend
the frontiers and no matter what will
be its results, it calls me back and
makes me press the "Play"
button to discover it. Sometimes this
is more important. It's the
trip and not the destination… |
