Chaoswave
Dead Eye Dreaming

(Nightmare Records • 2008)

haragSICK

2009. március 11.

0

Pontszám

8

The Italian band Chaoswave was formed in 2003, it’s first LP came out in 2005 preceded by a demo recording, and followed by an EP and another work about which you are going to read in this very article. Playing a kind of crossover of progressive metal (described as melodic thrashcore by their label – a haven’t got a clue as to what that is…) that is complex and varied enough to not only catch the ear of fans of the aforementioned genre. Dead Eye Dreaming is a title which indeed fits the cover perfectly, although you won’t really get what you would expect at first glance from this digitally inspired exterior, in terms of music ( I don’t know how you feel about it, but first an EBM band came to my mind). When we come to musical influences, I have to mention a wide array of bands ranging from Dream Theater and Symphony X to the rougher sound of Meshuggah, and even a pinch of some more popular bands such as Evanescence, TOT and Lacuna Coil (with the last one it’s mainly because of the temperamental voice Giorgia Fadda). Behind the very thoroughly crafted, cool and artificial riffs you also can sense the influence of Nevermore, which is made even more obvious be the appearance of Steve Smyth (Testament, Forbidden, Nevermore, so there is some thrash influence but not as much as mentioned by the label) on two songs, even if this is more of a curiosity than a reason for the fans of these bands buy this record.

There is no problem with the sound, it’s ok, the musicians are quite at their place, during the songs soft floating and searing parts follow each other in waves until the whole becomes rusty again. Sometimes it gets up to level of death metal speed intensity and brutality and then fades into oblivion or lapses into Giorgia Fadda’s sentimental and painful lamentation. As it has been mentioned above Steve Smyth appears here in two songs, and plays some decent solos rather just shredding mindlessly, it’s also interesting to know that my first impression wasn’t totally out of place as the keyboard also gets its role and there are some electronic parts. The vocals are basically melodic, but some parts are more aggressive. As hidden tracks some 2 Unlimited songs appear which could be familiar to some as the popular Ur-techno from the 90s. The No Limit song from Chaoswave smartly releases all the segments of the retro-present. There is much more that I could write about Dead Eye Dreaming but I do not see the point. This record is far from being flawless and I think it is likely to be forgotten, though there is quite a many interesting and pleasant part but nothing that could change the world or that with the listener unfortunately in spite of the famous guest musician. For those who wish to listen to a truly contemporary progressive album, which is both intense and melodic and isn’t deterred by a gothic-style female voice should give this album a try. Seriously.