Promised Lie - Episode II: Danger Zone

Year of Release: 2002
Label: Andromeda Relics
Catalog Number: AND 008
Format: CD
Total Time: 43:54:00

Promised Lie's sound borrows from both Dream Theater and Soundgarden, but not at the same time nor to the same degree. On the opening track "09," vocalist Marco Bodini sounds a great deal like James Labrie as he glides into those soaring vocals ? but is not the exact same caliber of vocalist as LaBrie. And, as you might expect, it is Images And Words period DT that Promised Lie imitate. But with the very next track the band "grunge" it up. "Call It Life" recalls Soundgarden, and by extension Nirvana and Pearl Jam, but mostly Soundgarden, as Bodini adopts a Chris Cornell like voice (adding a bit of LaBrie when necessary). Gianluca Piacenza's guitar slowly shimmers and quivers in the background over sparse percussion (Gianni). When bass (Lucio Piccoli) takes the lead, the whole mix becomes muddied and uncertain. It takes thick, acidic, power guitar chords to set things aright again. "Supperman" is an upbeat, groovy rock track which recalls both Soundgarden's "Spoonman" (mainly in the again Cornell-like vocals) and The Beatles' "Tax Man" ? here more in the distorted vocals of the title phrase. "Me And The Turtle" takes the confident swagger of Robert Plant and backs it with a funky rhythm. Piccoli's bass notes a very fat, reminiscent of disco era funk ? all that's missing is platform shoes and silver lame flared space suits. And Elvis' "Blue Christmas" leaps to mind with the opening, country-twang notes of the bluesy "Sometimes It Hurts." Though it sounds like one big clich?, all the parts are in the right place and hold together well. This followed by the pop-metal-like "The Show Goes On" (think Lemur Voice, Royal Hunt, etc.)

The band cover Queensryche's "Operation: Mindcrime" which I didn't recognize at all but for reading the credits. "Prodigal Son," a track that appeared on their debut, has a silky smooth sound backed by the swell of strings ? an occasionally reminds me of Icehouse, though mostly of many other progressive metal bands, including those named above. The acoustic guitars give this a light, lyrical and airy feel.

For the most part the performances are good, and the album is likeable, but it does not get much better than average. Bodini, despite his Labrie/Cornell-isms, sings with a slight accent, which I mention only because he blends over some of the words, which help with the glide aspect, but do nothing for getting the meaning. Acoustic guitars return in "Sunset" which closes the album in a very mellow and sparse fashion ? guitars and vocals only ? a bit like Bread's "If" in a way. Of those performances, the guitar parts stand out, and are a highlight. The album's title suggests something with a little more bite to it, which even Dream Theater and Soundgarden have or had, respectively. Of course, given the typography and graphics, which make me think of some of the promotional stuff that come out for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in the 80s, even sci-fi might have been an expectation.

Tracklisting:
09 (8:10) / Call It Life (5:51) / Supperman (3:23) / Me And The Turtle (4:25) / Sometimes It Hurts (3:43) / The Show Goes On (4:52) / O:M (4:37) / Prodigal Song (Acoustic) (6:25) / Sunset (1:23)

Musicians:
Marco Bodini ? vocals
Gianni Melotti ? drums
Lucio Piccoli ? bass
Gianluca Piacenza ? guitar

Discography:
Promised Lie (2000)
Episode II: Danger Zone (2002)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin IT

Added: May 4th 2003
Reviewer: Stephanie Sollow
Score:
Artist website: www.promisedlie.it
Hits: 2398
Language: english