Horizon's End - Concrete Surreal

Year of Release: 2001
Label: Steel Gallery
Catalog Number: SGR CD007
Format: CD
Total Time: 67:11:00

While the metal scene in Greece has clearly gathered a lot of fanatics in recent years, the same can't be said in terms of local bands, as I don't remember any up and rising names that have come out of the European country lately. So it is with great pleasure that I welcome the second album from Horizon's End, a very good prog ensemble that could be the next big thing in the market. In fact, the Greeks seem to have it all: a capable singer, very good chemistry and musicianship, but most of all, clever songs, which neatly fill the Concrete Surreal. The first hit is "Dividing Vanity," a long track that features a lot of pathos and energy (like a brutal mix of Sieges Even and Crimson Glory), even if the most intriguing aspect of the tune is the mid/ending-solos, very well conceived and played. Another brilliant solo is the one featured in "Sacred Lover," the second track of the album, a song that starts with some atmospheric verses that rapidly evolve into a fast paced yet melodic refrain. In the middle of the song comes the aforementioned solo, which shows an appealing duel between guitar player Manolis Pilides and Sakis Bandis, the keyboardist of the band. Sakis is also the one responsible for the melancholic and technological atmosphere that pervades "Two Steps And An Acknowledgment," another beautiful example of intriguing progressive tune. But all in all the CD never looses a beat, so when the music is over you could already start to wonder what the band will bring out for their third opus, maybe their career's turning point ... however let's remain anchored to the present for now, 'cause the Concrete Surreal really befits its title, thanks also to the gifted production work, done by the band itself. Is the end of the horizon filled with a newborn star?

Tracklisting:
Dividing Vanity (10:30) / Sacred Lover (7:51) / Two Steps And An Acknowledgement (6:53) / The Road To Grovelling (7:27) / Under The Face Of Regret (5:50) / Taken In (6:28) / Sandfalls (4:58) / A Soul (7:22) / Sleep (9:52)

Musicians:
Sakis Bandis - keyboards
Stergios Kourou - drums
Manolis Pilides - guitar
Kostas Scandalis - bass
Vassilios Topalides ? vocals

Discography:
Sculpture On Ice (1998)
Concrete Surreal (2001)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin GR

Added: July 16th 2002
Reviewer: Igor Italiani

Artist website: www.horizons-end.com
Hits: 2619
Language: english