WithoutEnding - WithoutEnding


Year of Release: 2005
Label: ProgRock Records
Catalog Number: PRR240
Format: CD
Total Time: 00:00:00

This is darn good when you consider it's the band's first attempt at officially releasing something. The only area where it is probably lacking is in the realm of innovation. I do not hear anything that hasn't already been done before. Nevertheless, it is quite listenable.

The band has already started working on their next project, which drummer and singer Crocodile Nick out of Australia says will take a similar approach. (By the way, this isn't really his nickname, I just think it is fitting). As we have seen with many bands such as Izz, Little Atlas, and Frogg Caf?, each album shows progress and improvement, even if the band themselves see little change internally. I expect evolution in their next release.

This band is heavily influenced by Dream Theater, one of the elite bands of this progressive rock era. Let's not forget their idol's clumsy debut. While Dream Theater went on to do many great things (well, there is debate out there about some of their latest work), they started out frail and fragile. One could argue that their first album, When Day And Dream Unite, was awfully anemic and in need of an emergency blood transfusion. Not until they made changes to the line-up did they actually become the masterpiece-making behemoth of our time.

With that said, WithoutEnding's debut album is much better than Dream Theater's premiere outing. In the grand scheme, this says very little and yet it says a lot. It is an achievement to even produce an album, and for this I give them high praise. It is an even greater feat when the first one has a couple redeeming qualities. Many bands that have soared to legendary status started with meager profits. WithoutEnding, however, has produced what I would consider a decent album.

I like track five, "Searching For Meaning," the best due to the fact it is the most original of the bunch. The others are slightly more derivative of classic Dream Theater, but even those manage to meet my musical requirements.

Track seven, "Comfort Zone," incorporates some interesting female operatic voices, which is one of the few moments that are different and unexpected. Yet, it seems a little forced as it comes totally out of the blue. In any case, I'm sure they'll find their own identity if they keep at it.

The music of WithoutEnding is impressive when you consider they shot out of the gate, took one lap around the track, and released a respectable album. Straight away, they were sucked up by a record label. Ironically, their label, ProgRock Records, is located more than 10,000 miles away [in California]. Talk about telecommuting. That's a lot of frequent flyer miles to rack up if ever they decide to meet with their bosses.

You can hear a lot of potential in the music. Once WithoutEnding is warmed up, sets the pace, and finds their groove, I expect to them to reach greatness. In the interim, here are a few suggestions they can follow to catalyze their path to progressive rock prominence:

Firstly, they might be spread a little thin as a trio. Unless one of their members is Geddy Lee or Nick D' Virgilio or they just stick to instrumentals (yawn), I find it almost impossible for them to put on a proper tour. They could bring in touring singers, drummers, etc., but as Cryptic Vision found out, there is value to having permanent staff.

Secondly, the music is too caught up in mathematics. Time signatures change for almost no reason at all and sometimes the transitions sound a little awkward. Tiles and Bubblemath are other bands stricken with this sort of affliction. There are few fans that can really appreciate the complex calculations and timing that go on beneath the surface. Once they get away from these technicalities, go with their gut, and just compose what sounds pleasant, they will take their compositions to the next level. It might be best to diverge from Dream Theater, as it will be quite some time before that act becomes vacant.

Any fan of heavy rock or progressive metal will invite their sturdy approach to songwriting. While you may not find anything here that's all that new, it's still worth your attention.


Tracklisting:
Again / In Transit / Analyse / I Still Remember / Searching For Meaning / Descend / Comfort Zone / Compulsion / The Third Day

Musicians:
Nicholas Georgakopoulos - vocals, drums
Michael Totta - guitars
Sam Schepis - bass

Discography:
WithoutEnding (2005)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin AU

Added: June 20th 2005
Reviewer: Joshua "Prawg Dawg" Turner
Score:
Artist website: www.withoutending.com
Hits: 2495
Language: english

  

[ Back to Reviews Index | Post Comment ]