When we think about a vector, we think about displacement.
The displacement of the corner store to my house is relatively small in comparison to the displacement of say, Sweden to my house. However, the displacement of
Andromeda the galaxy to earth is unconceivably larger.
Some may ponder the time when man will endeavour on a journey to the Milky Way's neighbour galaxy and uncover its mystical anomalies and innermost secrets.
But, in a surprising turn of events, it seems that the out of world experiences that
Andromeda is home to, and only a mere 1.5 light years away, can be found on a compact disc that originated in Sweden.
Andromeda, the band and the brainchild of Johan Reinholdz is a stunning display of out of this world progressive metal at its most intense.
What one finds on this extraordinary work is stylistic difference. Perhaps in my own opinion, it is originality in music that defines superb quality work, much the same as with literature or fine art.
"Two is one" is the much awaited follow up to
Andromeda's previous album "Extensions of the Wish". The anticipation for this album is said to have been overwhelming as the recording sessions clocked up at almost ten months. However, the preparation and care is certainly conveyed through what might be considered as totally unbelievable music.
It seems pretty easy to hear some of the influences that come across on this album. A lot of the riffs and especially the solo's that are in synchronisation with the keys sound very similar to Dali's Dilemma, specifically
"Despite the Waves". But generally the feel of the album comes across as being a nice blend of Dali's Dilemma with Spiral Architect.
It is also nice to see that this band is able to write songs that are loud, hard and insane, but also soft, secure and controlled, without sounding contrived.
However, it is some of the 'sentimental' sounding vocals on track four, entitled
"two is one" that does not impress me, again reminding me of cheesy, melo-dramatic movie scenes.
Aside from that, the music is intelligent, but not in a thought-provoking sense as there is not much room allowed for lyrics. According to guitarist Johan Reinholdz, "II=I" was constructed to allow ample room for the lyrics, but I find that statement to be less than correct as many of the songs leave very little space for vocal parts.
The gifted qualities of this band and their music are conveyed through the instrumental ability that each member possesses and showcases. Odd times and time changes are the common favourites amongst the average progmetal lover, but again, this is an album that simply offers more.
A random track to look at would be track seven entitled
"Parasite", which has a combination of awkward metal-style riffs with a jazz influenced verse. The beginning is backboned by the organ-style sound of a shrill keyboard, and overlapped by waves of guitar and drum riffs that seem erratic, yet not out of place. Following this, the textures thin so that the listener is left with lounge style piano and jazz styling, which in itself is an interesting twist. But to add to the surprises that
Andromeda continually project, one hears a crescendo being reached through a small drum build-up and suddenly guitar and vocal shrapnel bombards the responder as 'metal scuds' rip through the foreground, setting a new atmosphere that is a total melodic and stylistically contrasting.
As the song progresses, the listener witness or hears it undergo much change, as though being taken under a knife in a surgery. Unexpected contrasts begin to take place that continually surprise and perhaps even shock the listener.
Most interesting, is the
Dream Theateresque riff that appears 3:58s into the composition. As a very devoted
Dream Theater fan, it was what seemed to be a very obvious reference to the highly acclaimed masterpiece
"Learning to Live", which is the final track on their much praised "Images and Words" album. However, if it is some kind of homage to DT,
Andromeda certainly handled the riff differently, in a sense, adapting the riff to their own style, which might be described as particularly laid back with a touch of heavy, emotional and perhaps even dramatic.
Perhaps I'm being a bit too pedantic when I mention that at the point 1:35s off track 8, entitled
"One in my Head", which shares an obvious link with track 7, the responder can notice a link that seems to reflect much of the sound and flair of another DT favourite,
"Under a Glass Moon", also off the "Images and Words" album.
I suspect that
Andromeda are by no means plagiarising, however they are certainly treading on some pretty thin ice by incorporating such blatantly obvious references. Apart from this, I have little to no gripes with this album.
As I've already mentioned, the band seem to project a degree of intelligence and sheer musical ability within "II=I". This intelligence certainly comes across most prominently in the band's song writing ability, but also through the sheer performance abilities.
Reinholdz on his own could be considered a near virtuoso guitarist because of his technical ability, feel and genius.
I think most importantly though in this entire outfit is drummer Thomas Lejon. I tend to really observe drummers because I feel that a good drummer comprises the heart and soul of a band. Bad drumming, regardless of vocal, guitar, bass or keyboard ability/quality are totally void unless the drums are justifiable.
It couldn't please me more than to discover that the drumming work on this album is without a doubt, outstanding, with each track unravelling a difference in style and flair that Lejon can example. His combinations are original and different, which is what I find so delightful about his style; it characterises the music and defines
Andromeda's sound.
His work on this album is very diverse, as one will notice his ability to control the band under the styles of metal, soft rock and even jazz. Most importantly is Lejon's ability to not go overboard. Within the first few seconds of this album we acknowledge that he is an asset to
Andromeda, and thankfully he does not exploit this by including unnecessary fills and flash rolls.
With that, I believe I have summed up my overall impression of this band, which is purely genuine.
Andromeda are a REAL metal band and have composed music of a high standard that is for REAL metal listeners. The music is by no means commercially based, which one might find is becoming a problem in today's musical era.
Any metal lover will really get a kick out of "II=I" because it is just so fresh, like a basket of fruit or newly baked bread. If
Andromeda were Jerry Maguire, then in all honesty, the band would have me at "Hello".
It would be unfair of me to say that this band will really go places with their music, because I cannot play the 'music-god'. Nobody can. But if there is any justice in this world, then surely this band will at least begin dominating the metal ladder.
Written by
Yoni Sunday, March 9, 2003
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