A.C.T - Today's Report

Year of Release: 1999
Label: MTM Records / Atenzia
Catalog Number:
Format: CD
Total Time: 53:56:00

Swedish band A.C.T was founded back in 1994 under the name Fairyland, but changed their name later that same year. In 1996, the band were support act for Yngwie Malmsteen and in 1997 the band made a 5-track demo and were shopping for a deal but without any luck. Despite the set-backs, they decided to make a full album, Today's Report, which got them a deal with MTM Records.

I have to say that this album absolutely blew me away. It's hard to describe their music, but imagine elements of prog rock and neo-classical prog, heavy AOR and pomp rock in a nice blend and you've got A.C.T. Obviously, there are a lot of influences from 70's pomp and prog bands, but also 90s bands like Revolution- era Bad Habit, Ice Age, Valentine (a Dutch band) and Dream Theater come to mind. Their sound is incredibly fresh and modern, in a good way. The guitar playing is technical and tasty, and the keys are very present and varied. I'm really impressed by the keyboard playing and how the keys complete the songs. Awesome! Also, the duel playing by the keys/guitars is worth noticing. The mid-ranged vocals by Herman Saming (also in Locomotive Breath) is superb, and he come across as a mix of Pete Sandberg (Alien, Midnight Sun) and Bax Fehling (Bad Habit). The harmony vocals are a delight for the ears. The songs have a heavy, pompous, and technical edge with technical instrumental parts, good vocal-lines and choruses. The variation within each song makes this an interesting experience throughout the whole CD. The songwriting and arrangements are superb and the production is crystal clear, with every instrument present. All songs are of the same high quality and this music is very innovative and entertaining

I think this album has something for everyone, but fans of above mentioned bands and genres should not be without this CD. Today's Report has a lot to offer and come as a breeze of fresh air into the prog scene!

[This review originally appeared at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]

Tracklisting:
Abandoned World / The Wandering / Granda Phone Home* / Waltz With Mother Nature / Why Bother / Today's Report / Welcome / Cat Eyes / The Chase / Foreplay / Piece Of Meat / Tinnitus / Lord Of Lies / Emelie / Insomniac / Concluding Speech

* Japanese bonus

Musicians:
Jerry Sahlin - synthesizers, vocals, backing vocals
Ola Andersson - electric and acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Peter Asp - bass, backing vocals
Herman Saming - lead vocals, backing vocals
Tomas Erlandsson - drums, percussion, backing vocals

Discography:
Today's Report (1999)
Imaginary Friend (2001)
Last Epic (2003)
Silence (2006)
Circus Pandemonium (2014)

Trifles And Pandemonium (DVD) (2016)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin SE

Added: November 1st 2002
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Artist website: www.actworld.se
Hits: 4592
Language: english