EER-MUSIC.com HOME PAGE

EER-MUSIC.com
MEET THE STAFF HERE

Spiral Architect: A Skeptic's Universe (Sensory/Laser's
Edge, 2000) 


Spiral Architect shook the underground progressive metal scene
with their 1995 two-song demo from the A Gathering
compilation sessions.  This Norwegian five piece played crunchy
power metal with amazingly technical yet melodic syncopations
underneath lush, Yes-style vocal harmonies.  The music went
beyond all the major label, so-called "prog metal" bands
ripping through their poorly written songs with cold
technicality, even suggesting a new genre for ultra-progressive
metal like Spiral Architect:  "technical metal."  


After long delays and flirtations with major labels unwilling
to back such a creative, uncommercial band, the full-length
Spiral Architect CD A Skeptic's Universe emerged in
early 2000.  On Sensory/Laser's Edge, A Skeptic's
Universe was recorded, mixed, and produced by veteran
soundman Neil Kernon, (Queensryche, Nevermore). 


The impressive music on A Skeptic's Universe is an
almost non-stop technical barrage of twisted yet melodic and
accessible riffing.  All the musicians execute this vision with
skill, but the bass guitar work of Lars K. Norberg particularly
excels.  The mix is ideal for this style, heavy in the
mid-range, keeping the low end of the guitars in the background
and allowing Norberg's fluid, upper-fret bass work to shine. 


Although A Skeptic's Universe contains less than 40
minutes of new music, since "Fountainhead" is a re-recorded
version of one of the 1995 demo songs, the songs are so densely
crafted and the quality so high throughout that the short
running time is not noticeable.  Unlike most "prog metal," the
songwriting retains primary importance over individual soloing,
and the individual passages on A Skeptic's Universe are
thoughtfully and tastefully applied and executed.  The flange
effect applied to the entire band in places like the outro of
"Insect" recalls Neil Kernon-produced Dokken records.  This
dated and rather non-progressive sound effect undercuts the
serious, technical attitude of the music.  


The songs blends the styles of several founding bands of
technical metal, including Watchtower and Cynic.  However,
segments of the music betray excessive influences of
Watchtower, Cynic, and Psychotic Waltz.  A Skeptic's
Universe steps backward from the brilliance of the A
Gathering sessions demo in that these influences are
cobbled together in awkward chunks that seem derivative of the
other bands, rather than smoothly amalgamated into an original
vision like the 1995 songs.  


The songwriting on Spiral Architect's A Skeptic's
Universe places them firmly atop progressive metal, with
writing and playing superior to all other non-instrumental
progressive metal bands.  However, a less direct quoting of
their musical influences in favor of a more original style and
sound would have made A Skeptic's Universe even greater.


Reviewed by Scott Andrews [sha3u@Virginia.edu].


http://www.spiralarchitect.com/ 

http://www.lasercd.com/



Spiral Architect: A Gathering Sessions, Two-Song Demo
(1995) 


Spiral Architect is a five member progressive metal band from
Norway. They recorded two songs in 1995 for a compilation of
Norwegian bands called A Gathering. Spiral Architect
also released their songs, "The Fountainhead" and "Purpose," as
a two song demo tape, available by mail order from the band. 


The sound is a mixture of guitar-based melodic, technical metal
and classic prog vocals. The riffs are intricate and layered,
often with guitar harmonies, and they are well developed within
the song structure without being overly repeated. The lead
guitar is very fluid and smooth, which adds a soaring quality
to the solo sections. The bass playing is solid, and featured
in one lead break, and the drumming crisply holds everything
together with great cymbal work. The guitars have a great
crunchy midrange sound that fits perfectly with the harmonized,
melodic style of riffing - picture a Van Halen I brown sound
playing arpeggiated chords like the melodic parts of Cynic. 


The vocals are densely layered and harmonized in the style of
Yes. The layering is enhanced by the full range and clear sound
of the singer, a session vocalist friend of the band. He has
since replaced by a full time vocalist. 


Overall, the music is very original and captivating - Spiral
Architect does not sound like any prog metal band out there
today because they combine influences and ideas in an original
style. They avoid the cheesy pop choruses of mainstream "prog
metal" bands like Dream Theater, and they sound very technical
and sophisticated while retaining very accessible melodies.
This band truly could go a very long way because of the
combined appeal of their fusion of melody and intricacy.


Reviewed by Scott Andrews [sha3u@Virginia.edu].






RETURN TO:

To purchase this recording and get more info, soundclips, etc.
CLICK ON ARTIST'S NAME ABOVE
OR . . .
Please visit my BUY IT E.E.R. NOW INDEX PAGE
OR...

Please try my brand spankin' new 
EER and AMAZON.com QUIK-LINKs
buyer's guide to recommended music.
OR ...
 go to my LINKS page and find the vendors' section. 
Happy hunting!

Observe how the word
wheel reverses direction
if you try and read words.