Metropolis - Behind Mysterious Walls

Year of Release: 1995
Label: self-released
Catalog Number: MET 001
Format: CD
Total Time: 35:14:00

Well,

There's no doubt what this band is all about judging by the name, is there? And, while I just finished up with Empty Tremor, I thought it would be fitting to talk about this band next ...

The band is from Germany, I believe, and here is the scoop on this disc ...

THE STYLE:

As you might have guessed, it's loaded with Dream Theater structured songs, although not quite that much progression, but these guys certainly add some cool melodies to go along with their progression ... I would have to say once again that this reminds me somewhat of When Dream And Day Unite, but mostly in the sound, rather than the style ... It's not quite as heavy or punchy as a DT disc, or even the Empty Tremor disc, but it makes up for the loss in some emotional passages along the way ...

THE PRODUCTION:

Not real bad, but while the Empty Tremor snare drum sounded a bit muffled, this one is very crisp and clean, but with little punch to it ... it sounds tinny, and it doesn't push the music around it like it should in a band that plays progressive music like this ... We can't expect every band in this genre to make great sounding discs, but it should be noted when a production suffers a bit in contrast to the style of music a band is playing ...

THE BAND:

As in most DT-styled bands, it seems that the guitarist and drummer stand out the most, and this band is no exception ... although the guitarist is good, but not a scorcher ... the drummer is very good, with that signature double bass sound going all the time ... the keyboards are good, but used as a backdrop for the music instead of a solo instrument ... seems as thought there is a shortage of Kevin Moore styled players in the world ... ;o)

THE SINGER:

Good, stays well within his mid-range limits, and he may be put back in the mix just a little bit in contrast to what is being played around him ... it has always been my theory that bands that play music similar to Dream Theater need a powerful, forceful singer out front to compliment the band ... it is very easy to outplay a singer when it involves intricate, progressive, powerful music like this ... overall, he fits in because they don't quite reach that DT power, and he doesn't get left behind, although he is a little put back in the mix for my liking ...

THE COMMENTS:

This disc isn't going to blow anyone away, although it is good, melodic, progressive metal ... its hard to really pinpoint the direction they want to take with this music, because at times it reeks of DT, then it kind of settles in to their own, melodic style of progression ... this is a good disc, but not one to go out and go crazy to get, as it is hard enough to find anyway ... its a good listen ...

Tracklisting:
Impossible Dream (7:11) / Back (6:08) / Streetchild (4:01) / Rooms Of Desolation (6:54) / Walls Of Mystery (5:33) / Good Bye (5:27)

Musicians:
Martin Baumann - drums, vocals
Frank H?sken - bass
Armin Prokein - guitars
Holger Selig - keyboards, vocals
Marco Verf?rth - lead vocals

Discography:
Behind Mysterious Walls (1995)
Shadows Of The Past (1998)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin DE

Added: July 25th 1999
Reviewer: Larry "LarryD" Daglieri

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Language: english