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LORD OF MUSHROOMS - 7
Deadly Songs
Lion Music
by: ALEX REIS
alex@metalexpressradio.com |
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Just when you started thinking every new Prog Metal band is a
cheap copy of Dream Theater, Lord of The Mushrooms releases
their new groundbreaking album, 7 Deadly Songs. Based off
the concept of the seven deadly sins, this conceptual album
expands the Progressive horizons into new territories. Elements
of Jazz, Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, AOR, and almost
every genre of contemporary music can be found here, in a
perfect blend. Although musically complex, the album appeals
equally to music lovers and the “educated” music audience.
Atonal passages, tritons, and every other sort of dissonance are
present in Seven Deadly Songs, without loosing focus on
keeping the listener interested and entertained.
For those looking for references, one could say that Lord Of
Mushrooms' main influences are Yes, Kansas, Boston, Toto, Dream
Theater (obviously), and Symphony X, but that would be
restricting too much the complex and complete music landscape
created by the band. This band's rhythm section is tight and
accurate, with guitar, bass, and drums working closely together
to form a solid musical foundation. The vocals are exactly what
they should be ... not too much over the top, not too harsh, and
not unique enough to drive your attention away from the
instruments. The keyboards, while not exaggeratedly exposed, are
of astounding virtuosity and good taste. Being the “sonic glue”
of the vocal harmonies and the concise rhythmic section, they
draw atmospheric lines while providing lead work equally well.
The first of the seven deadly sins based songs, “Pride,”
flirts with all of their influences. While tending to a more AOR
overall feel, the song switches easily from Metal passages to
Hard Rock and Pop territory. “Avarice” falls more into the Prog
Metal prototype, and has lots clever keyboard passages. The
rhythm section is again working perfectly together. The song has
an overall feel that will sound familiar to Symphony X’s fans.
More on the heavy side, while still retaining the AOR styled
melodies, “Envy” is the third track on 7 Deadly Songs.
The funky bass work and the odd tempos shows off all the
versatility found in their rhythmic foundation. Atmospheric
enough to sound like a video game track, “Anger” is more of the
same found in the previous track. Obviously, that is not a bad
thing at all. A highlight in this song is the Hard Rock-styled
chorus.
The main ballad in 7 Deadly songs, "Sloth," has nice
piano lines, and a nice vocal melody. The weird solo is one of
the passages in the album that shows off the band’s musical
education background. The most fun track on 7 Deadly Songs,
“Gluttony,” has a chilled-down feel to it, with Funk being
thrown in the style blend. This track is hugely influenced by
the Hard Rock greats that inspired Lord of Mushrooms' music. The
organ work is true to style, and fills gracefully the harmonic
spaces.
Back to the Heavy Metal mood, the closing track, “Lust,” is
the heaviest track on the album. The keyboard work in this track
reminds of Jordan Rudess’ latest work with Dream Theater, and
that means total keyboard wizardry. Justice be done though, the
guitar work is also a highlight here, along with the vocal
harmonies. After the seven deadly sins, we have the trilogy
“Legend.” These three songs feel like an entirely different
album. While still retaining the musical quality from the
conceptual section of 7 Deadly Songs, a more experimental
approach is taken within these compositions.
If you are into Progressive Metal, or even Progressive music
in general, this album is a must have. It’s really nice to hear
something that sounds new and fresh in the Prog genre. Lord of
Mushrooms is one of the few bands trying to push the standards a
little higher, and do something, that while not being entirely
new, is very original. For more info on Lord of Mushrooms, visit
the band’s Web site at
www.LordOfMushrooms.com, or the label’s Web site at
www.LionMusic.com
Review from
www.metalexpressradio.com |
LORD OF MUSHROOMS - 7 DEADLY
SONGS (B+) Lion Music, 2005
10 tracks, RT: 58:57
[
http://www.lordofmushrooms.com/ ]
[ http://www.lionmusic.com/ ]
Wow, another cool band comes out of nowhere with an impressive album!
Lord Of Mushrooms is a French progressive metal outfit who sound to my
ears like a cross between Pain Of Salvation, Shadow Gallery and Vanden
Plas. 7 DEADLY SONGS is their second album and features interesting
song arrangements, superb technical playing and a surprisingly good
production. As you may have guessed, the album is a concept piece
about the seven deadly sins and begins with the explosive "Pride,"
demonstrating some really precise and creative musicianship. Vocalist
Julien Vallespi takes awhile to get used to, reminiscent of Daniel
Gildenlow at times; after a few spins you notice he fits well with the
music, with an unusual plaintive tonal quality. "Avarice" follows and
slams into you with some off-meter drumming courtesy of Mickael James
who stuns with his virtuosity throughout. "Envy" and "Anger" are also
very good, Quentin Benayoun's keyboards rivaling those of any prog
metal band you care to name, as Laurent James turns in a fantastic
performance on guitar as well. Bass duties are handled well by Julien
Negro, who maintains a strong foundation while keeping the songs
fluid. "Sloth" quiets things down a little with some of the momentum
lost, with "Gluttony" offering up a different, poppier feel. If you
want to make sure these guys can play check out "The Tempest," a
quickly delivered instrumental displaying all the usual prog tricks
with practiced ease. "Paylee Conol" ends the album nicely with some
excellent light-and-shade playing and strong vocal melodies. If I have
one complaint about 7 DEADLY SONGS, it's that it opens up rather
slowly, taking about four spins to get into. The melodies are not
immediately evident but they are there for you to discover. I hope
prog metal fans give these guys a chance, as I can see them really
going places in the future! - Neal Woodall (MysticX10@msn.com)
Detritus Rock/Metal e-zine
"Rock Hard With A Purpose"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Detritus/
Seven Deadly Songs
Lord of Mushrooms
(Lion Music)
Despite sporting a name right
out of the South Park, this lot produce some damn accessible prog/power
metal that is not that far removed from Dream Theater at their least
pretentious. As you might expect from the name most of the songs on
this album are based on the seven deadly sins of yore. Into the
normal power metal framework the band introduce fusion, jazz and
even hints of pop ala Busted. One of the more accessible aspects of
this collection is fact that singer, Julien Vallespi, tends to stay
in a range which does not grate on the ear even if his singing can
be a bit nasally. Rather than is the temptation these days, he does
not try to out do Dickinson. While not necessarily great on first
listen, the sheer quality of this music shines through, never more
so than on the catchy track 'Anger'. By far one of the prog records
most likely to cross-over this year.
****
Marty Dodge
Reviews Editor, Get Ready To Rock!
www.getreadytorock.com
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LORD OF THE
MUSHROOMS - SEVEN DEADLY SONGS (LION MUSIC) |
Lord
Of Mushrooms! I love the bandname and I am about to fall in
love with their sound too. These guys have been around since
the autumn of year 2000 and they have done one album before
this one. The Mushroom guys know how to deal with their
instruments, so amazing and interesting. You get so carried
away by listening, like walking on clouds filled with
emotional fantasies. “Seven Deadly songs” gives you the ride
you have been looking for. Lion Music have found something
extra ordinary special this time. You probable already have
guessed that this is a concept-album based on the seven
sins. The five members of the band are coming from various
different musical worlds and they all have different
talents, all of that gives the songwriting some
extraordinary dimensions and twists, unexpected turns around
every corner. Pure flavored progressive metal and some hard
rock fusion with some very cool progressive jazz ingredients
make this album to a journey into territories you haven't
been for a very long time.
Full marks to the production
and the vocals. “Seven Deadly Songs” are breathing harmonies
and glittering riffs. All to all this must be ranked as one
of the better surprises in a long time. Lord Of Mushrooms
have all the energy and devotion that bands like Dream
Theater lost somewhere along the way. Lovers of Threshold,
Enchant and Eldritch must look up. You have got 60 minutes
ahead of you. So crank up the volume, sit back, enjoy and
most of all, discover.
www.lordofmushrooms.com
85/100
Johnny Forslund
www.aordreamzones.com
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Lord Of Mushrooms - Seven Deadly Songs (Lion Music) By:
Joe Florez |
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This French outfit have
released one album before on a smaller label and now they are given
decent exposure with the second release. The disc revolves around the
basic concept of the seven deadly sins and what came out of those
speakers was truly unique. This is progressive metal taken to different
levels. “Pride” is a very laid back approach toward music writing with
it’s catchy as hell choruses that are full of life. The music is also
very vibrant. Flashy, yet controlled guitar solos are exploited, while
the drumming has a jazz appeal to it. This even has commercial potential
because it’s so easy to follow. It’s smooth prog metal performed at its
highest peak. Even though this is a lengthy song like most |
tracks are of this
genre, it moves quick and painlessly. “Avarice” picks up the pace a bit
with more aggressive guitar work and the drums are stuck a bit harder
and being more technical. The voice also has a bit more muscle behind
it, but the band remains classy and tries to not get overly insane with
their compositions. Shit, these guys go from one track to the next with
total unpredictability and never repeat themselves. I think that by
having five talented musicians that all come from different backgrounds
can truly make for some killer music. They are able to shift several
tempos and styles into one song without it being a train wreck. They
have the talent and know how to pull it off effortlessly. “Gluttony”
goes more for 70’s hard rock with the vintage organ sound, but refusing
to sound dated and weak. The final sin from the Bible, “Lust” continues
with its winning ways, but then it gets a bit weird in terms of writing.
There is a bit of a metal flare tossed in here too and if you listen
closely you will notice just a smidge of ELP. Overall, this is
impressive to say the least. The ending of the song is even bizarre as
they just toss in some electronica just to throw you off a bit. After
our Bible study for the day, we round the disc off with “Legend,” which
is broken into three parts and moves from subtle to nostalgic to classy.
In the end, what you are treated to is something truly unique that is
just bursting with colorful dynamics and originality that can’t be
compared to anything else. If you are in the mood for something more
than your run of the mill Dream Theaters and such, then this is the
perfect alternative for you. Besides, one listen isn’t enough due to the
fact that there are many layers of sound that need to be explored
closely with each spin. This is a must listen. P.S. Ignore the cover. It
may look lame, but what’s inside is what matters most.
www.live4metal.com |
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