| Mind's Eye - A Gentleman's Hurricane (9/10) - Sweden - 2007 |
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Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Lion Music
Playing time: 74:38
Band homepage: Mind's Eye
Tracklist:
-
Praying For Confession
-
Seven Days
-
AssassiNation
-
Chaos Unleashed
-
Hell’s Invitiation
-
Feed My Revolver
-
Ashes To Ashes (In Land Lullaby)
-
The Hour Of Need
-
Red Winter Sirens
-
Skin Crawl
-
Graveyard Hands
-
Say Goodnight
-
Pandora’s Musical Box
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Sometimes, a cool album cover or album title is all it takes for me to like a band before I’ve even played the album. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily impact the score it receives, but it makes me a bit more eager to delve into the CD’s mysteries straightaway. Such is the case with MIND’S EYE and their sixth studio release, the impeccably titled “A Gentleman’s Hurricane”. One look at the cover art, which depicts a respectable old bloke calming walking towards a massive twister, and I muttered “that’s too awesome” and promptly got to reviewing.
Fortunately, MIND’S EYE aren’t just good for their cover art; their music is just as great. Taking cues from bands like QUEENSRŸCHE and RUSH, MIND’S EYE have created an epic Prog Metal concept story in “A Gentleman’s Hurricane”. The story follows a wizened old assassin who, after years of carrying out kills on the Illuminati’s orders, is overcome by guilt. He seeks refuge in an old church, where he meets a retired priest and confesses to him. Over the course of the album, he recounts his bloody tales to the priest, who has a few of his own sins to share with the assassin. This unlikely friendship makes for a fascinating narrative, as the assassin has only seven days to clear his conscience before his next (and final) hit.
As with previous MIND’S EYE albums, nearly everything on “A Gentleman’s Hurricane” was handled by drummer Daniel Flores; in addition to drumming, he played keyboards, arranged strings, performed harmony vocals, wrote the story concept, wrote all the lyrics, wrote nearly all the music alone (bassist/guitarist Johan Niemann contributed on a few tracks), and handled all of the production and recording duties. He’s a busy fellow, but considering the excellent quality of nearly every facet of the album, it’s obvious that Flores excels at everything he does.
After a stirring intro, the album kicks into gear with “Seven Days”. Though MIND’S EYE firmly falls into the category of Progressive Metal, they have more of a gritty, mid-tempo Rock sound than, say, DREAM THEATER or label-mates SEVENTH WONDER. Much of the album fits this description, but there are a few surprises. From track to track, Niemann and Flores pound away at their instruments while singer Andreas Novak wails for all he’s worth, but all that gets thrown out the window on the semi-acoustic number “Graveyard Hands”. It’s a solemn, stirring song, and definitely an album highlight; it even has a flute and “warpipes” mixed in it.
Without a doubt, “A Gentleman’s Hurricane” is worthy of a buy. Hell, it may even end up being one of the best Prog releases of the year. Only time will tell, but for the time being, Flores and company have crafted a truly majestic listening experience. Prog Metal fans, you won’t be disappointed.
(Online October 13, 2007) |
www.metal-observer.com
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Tracklist
1. Praying For Confession
2. Seven Days
3. AssassiNation
4. Chaos Unleashed
5. Hell's Invitation
6. Feed My Revolver
7. Ashes To Ashes (In Land Lullaby)
8. The Hour Of Need
9. Red Winter Sirens
10. Skin Crawl
11. Graveyard Hands
12. Say Goodnight
13. Pandora's Musical Box
Line-up
Andreas Novak (lv)
Johan Niemann (b, g)
Daniel Flores (d, k, star, hv)
Review added
October 9, 2007
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MIND’S EYE
A Gentleman’s Hurricane
© 2007 Lion Music (LMC214)
progressive metal
studio album
13 tracks - TT 74:44
release date: September 14, 2007
http://www.roundrec.com |
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Do you remember my rave review of Mind’s Eye’s latest album “Walking On h2o”. Although it was released at the beginning of last year, I already called it one of the prog highlights of the year. Several of our registered visitors posted their opinion on the album and none of them rewarded it with less than 5 stars out of 6, which proved my opinion that this was a real highlight for Mind’s Eye as well as for Lion Music.
Andreas Novak, Johan Niemann and Daniel Flores are now back with album # 5, called “A Gentleman’s Hurricane”, and it may easily be called their most ambitious album so far. With this album, the band has delivered the world’s first cinematic metal triple pack, consisting of a CD, a comic book to illustrate the concept storyline and a DVD chronicling the making of the album, thus allowing the fans to get right inside the album’s concept and gain an insight into how the threesome worked in the studio.
RR HQ only got the CD for review and so I can’t write anything about the comic book nor the DVD, but one single spin of the CD was enough to convince me of the high quality Flores and his sidemen have delivered once again. Of course all the trademarks of Mind’s Eye’s earlier albums are here again, but as a whole this album is probably their heaviest one so far, with still more than enough emphasis on the melodies to assure the album’s overall accessibility. An album of such a high quality can only be enjoyed when you listen to it from the beginning till the end with the lyrics within reach. The biography that was sent to us together with the promo CD compares “A Gentleman’s Hurricane” with Queensrÿche’s “Operation: Mindcrime” and although I wouldn’t go that far, I have to admit that this is really an impressive piece of work. Absolutely recommended!!! ( CL) www.rockreport.be
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Mind’s Eye – A Gentlemen’s Hurricane
2007 Lion Music
You can’t really get more ambitious than this, as if Walking On H2O was a hard enough act to follow, A Gentlemen’s Hurricane is not only an elaborate musical project, but it adds something different; instead of being a mere cinematic ‘rock opera,’ the record comes with a comic book to narrate the story line, only enhancing the concept that states ”Twelve Murders in Seven days. So little time… So much to tell…”
With all of the progressive metal concept albums out there being force fed to us that go nowhere and offering really nothing new with too much production and arrangements, often lacking melody and hooks, Mind’s Eye know how to execute the perfect technical metal record, where like I have said before, you get into it and not get lost, for which Andreas Novak, Johan Niemann, & Daniel Flores know when to place the hooks and catchiness within the lush, layered arrangements; pushing the envelope when it comes to neo-classical/symphonic overtones, yet keeping the music highly accessible on the ears; never losing the fine art of what making music is all about in the first place - the riffage and of course, the melody.
Piece by piece the record unfolds; “Seven Days,” an articulately brooding track, complete with a strategically placed infectious hookline, sets the tone for what the rest of the record beholds. The abundance for other tunes like “Days…” is also found within hard driving numbers like “Chaos Unleashed,” “Feed My Revolver,” and “Red Winter Sirens” where there is no lack of precision based metallic glory. The more emotional edge if found within cuts such as “Graveyard Hands” and the ballad “The Hour of Need” putting the sophistication in with moodiness.
Like At Vance crossed with Sun Caged, the music is emphasized with the songs – complimented by the musicianship with sheer harmonic brilliance, Mind’s Eye have again outdone themselves both musically and artistically with their latest release. While some of the progressive metal forefathers have disappointed us with stale material lately, this trio proves that it’s time for some to just move over and let the new guard in.
Added: October 4th 2007
Reviewer: Tommy Hash www.ytsejam.com
Score:
Related Link: The official Minds Eye website |
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Mind's Eye: A Gentleman's Hurricane
 To me Mind's Eye has always been one of those progressive bands who have conssitently released solid albums; the only thing their catalog missed was a truly monster record from start to finish. With their previous output Walking on H2O, however, they started to show signs for really great things to come, and finally they have put out their magnum opus: A Gentleman's Hurricane.
Based on a storyline akin to that of Queensryche's Operation: Mindcrime and perhaps also Dream Theater's Scenes from a Memory in that it deals with themes like murder, religion, and tragedy, A Gentleman's Hurricane is easily their most realized and complex work to date. For starters, the production of the band's brainchild Daniel Flores is mesmerizing, emphasizing numerous textures, thick soundscapes, and a remarkable mixing job. Daniel Flores, besides playing all drums and keyboards on the CD, is also responsible for the beautiful harmony vocals and the songwriting of pretty much the whole record. There are a few track he co-wrote with guitarist/bassist Johan Niemann though; these tunes also add substantially to the diversity of the record along with several guest musicians.
While the band chose to stay in more of prog-rock-meets-metal territory on earlier releases, they have decided to embark on a heavier disc overall with their new album. The bone-crunching rhythm guitar work exhibited on most of the songs is stupifying indeed. Songs such as "Seven Days" and "AssasiNation", both of which are graced by cinematic passages, also allow acoustic breaks and varied sound elements to come through, the latter laden with an infectious chorus by Andreas Novak who shifts between manipulated parts to rousing melodic sections in the blink of an eye. This album is his pinnacle from a performance standpoint, as he opts for as many vocal stylings as this record would allow, from the searing screams on "Feed My Revolver" to the more vocal-based "Chaos Unleashed" (complete with an 80's Rush-like synth arrangement), and the atmospherically dense "Ashes to Ashes (In Land Lullaby)", evoking Peter Gabriel's theatrical melody constructions post-Genesis and a terrific drum accompaniment by Flores to Novak's morose delivery. Also important is the dark vocalization of "Skin Crawl" -- those harmonies are gold.
Johan Niemann plays sledgehammer riffs on most of the album, reminding me of Henning Pauly's Frameshift project (think their second album). Niemann's melodic control and phrasing are also superior, as he successfully avoids falling into the trap of overdoing any of the instrumental parts. On the contrary, his soloing on the album is top-notch and very carefully planned. This album has some of the most amazing lead solos I've heard on a 2007 release. The killer guitar crescendo on the opener "Praying for Confession", a great piece laden with various sound collections (child's choir, footsteps, narration, creepy background noises, gorgeous synth voicings, et cetera), the utterly perfect melodic transition on "Chaos Unleashed", the godly guitar solo on the Threshold-like "Hell's Invitation", and the awe-inspiring playing on "Red Winter Sirens" are testimony to this guy's skills. If you watch the making-of video that comes together with this album, you'll see he nails the solo in one take, after Flores' instruction. He's not just the amazing bass player of Therion, but also a great guitar player and one of the best studio musicians as Flores claims. His rampaging bass work that stomps upon the recurring synth melody at the end is simply stunning.
Also note the dramatic duet "The Hour of Need", featuring female vocalist Mia Coldheart over moody synths; the superbly arranged "Graveyard Hands", littered with gentle flute melodies, a reverb-filled guitar solo that is emotionally draining, and marching drum syncopation. On the ten-minute "Pandora's Musical Box", the whole album is sort of summarised through a mix of leviathan guitar riffery, dismal acoustic guitars, excellent vocals, and Flores' atmospheric keyboards floating across the whole thing. It concludes with the same child's choir that opens the album, maintaining its unity.
The packaging of the album is superb too. It comes with a DVD documenting the making of the album and thus proving how terribly underrated an artist Daniel Flores is. There is also an interesting video of "Feed My Revolver", featuring wonderful animations and an intriguing story which fits the concept of the album.
With a successful array of guest artists personifying the characters, a thought-provoking concept, excellent production, great arwork by Mattias Noren, and on top of all killer songwriting, A Gentleman's Hurricane is one of the most essential progressive metal albums of the year.
Track Listing
- Praying for Confession
- Seven Days
- AssassiNation
- Chaos Unleashed
- Hell's Invitation
- Feed My Revolver
- Ashes to Ashes (In Land Lullaby)
- The Hour of Need
- Red Winter Sirens
- Skin Crawl
- Graveyard Hands
- Say Goodnight
- Pandora's Musical Box
Added: September 30th 2007
Reviewer: Murat Batmaz www.seaoftranquility.org
Score:  
Related Link: Mind's Eye website |
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Mind's
Eye - A
Gentleman's
Hurricane
Lion
Music
Rating -
8.5/10
Review
Paul
Williams
This new release from Mind’s Eye is touted as the world’s first triple pack release, coming as it does with the CD, a “making of” DVD and a comic which depicts the visual elements of what is a progressive metal concept album.
Mind’s Eye are Andreas Novak (whose solo album caused quite a stir in 2005), Johan Niemann (Therion) on bass and guitar and Daniel Flores on drums, keyboards and in charge of production.
The storyline behind the concept focuses on an assassin growing increasingly ill at ease with his own conscience but who is tasked with carrying out 12 high profile hits in just seven days. He confides in a parish priest who has plenty of shameful secrets in his own past…
The blurb which accompanies this release compares it to Operation Mindcrime and whilst I would not rate it anywhere near the class of Queensryche’s seminal opus, this is easily the second best concept album that I have ever heard. It is more typically progressive in approach than the harder rocking Mindcrime, with an abundance of keyboards far more prevalent throughout. One great trait it does share is that each song stands up on its own as well as within the context of the album / story.
Novak has a really good voice and the quality of both the songwriting and the playing around him is excellent.
After a spoken word / instrumental first track which sets the scene, the first real track “Seven Days” kicks in and leads to “AssassiNation” which is arguably the finest track on the whole album. An absolute belter. After the rocking “Chaos Unleashed” and darker “Hell’s Invitation” comes the magnificent “Feed My Revolver” which is a simply brilliant track from beginning to end.
The quality doesn’t let up during “Ashes To Ashes”, after which the tempo and mood are stripped back for the haunting duet with Mia Coldheart from Crucified Barbara. The pace picks up on “Red Winter Sirens” which builds from a vocal introduction and blossoms into another bass-driven rocker. The standard is maintained by “Skin Crawl” and another of the album’s real highlights, “Graveyard Hands”. “Say Goodnight” and “Pandora’s Musical Box” round things off in fine style, in keeping with the rest of the album.
The sound quality throughout the album is absolutely stunning, which really adds to the complex nature of the songs and arrangements.
In summary, if you are into progressive metal, then buy this. No question. You’ll love it. The album also has more than enough overall quality to cross over into other rock genres and garner Mind’s Eye a whole new (and well deserved) fanbase. Great job, guys.
www.hardrockhouse.com |
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Track Listing
Praying For Confession
Seven Days
AssassiNation
Chaos Unleashed
Hell's Invitation
Feed My Revolver
Ashes To Ashes (in land lullaby)
The Hour Of Need
Red Winter Sirens
Skin Crawl
Graveyard Hands
Say Goodnight
Pandora's Musical Box
Line Up
Andreas Novak - Vocals
Johan Niemann - Guitars/Bass
Daniel Flores - Drums/Keyboards |
Mind's Eye
'A Gentleman's
Hurricane'
© 2007 Lion
Music
Reviewed by Dave
Palmer
www.heavymetalresource.com
I think that
time comes in
every good
band's career
where they put
together an
album that will
be a definite
classic in the
genre and one of
the band's
finest moments.
With Mind's Eye
and the fact
that they seem
to have plenty
of fine moments,
to say this one
is even bigger
then usual
really says
alot. 'A
Gentleman's
Hurricane' is a
conceptual
masterpiece that
deals in
sinister plot in
some ways like
Queensryche's
'Operation:
Mindcrime'. What
this album has
in common with
Queensryche's
album is the
visual nature of
it. The music
translates very
well through the
tone and mood in
the way the song
was written. The
listener gets it
through lyric
and tempo. The
narration in the
storyline tends
to help out, but
with some of the
background
sounds and just
things that are
going on, it
isn't really
hard to figure
out. In a
nutshell, it's
delivered very
well. I think
this band should
be on larger map
due to this
record. I know
that there are a
fair amount of
fans that have
alot of respect,
but these guys
are really good.
It is hard to
really point out
what my favorite
tracks would be.
The album fits
tightly together
as one would
expect. That's
the whole idea
of this type of
album. If I had
to pick out one
track that I
like immensely,
it would be
'Feed My
Revolver'. I
like heavy
music. The
guitar sound and
the background
atmosphere of
this song is
absolutely
intense. The
atmosphere of
the album is one
of it's best
attributes.
Angry when it
needs to be and
somber when
necessary at the
other end of the
spectrum. This
album could be,
although not
sure if it will
be, one of those
albums which
others are
gauged against
for quality.
Mind's Eye is a
definite force
in progressive
and metal in
general. Those
who are fans
already know
this, and for
those that
don't, you need
to to check this
band out.
Overall
One of the years
best releases
without a doubt.
Mind's Eye keep
kicking things
up a notch with
each release.
They may have
kicked it up
much more then a
notch with 'A
Gentleman's
Hurricane'
however. This
album is special
and could go
down in rock
history as one
of the best. If
you haven't
checked out
Mind's Eye, but
do like the
heavier side of
progressive and
just great rock
and metal music,
it's a clear
winner!
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MIND'S EYE - A
GENTLEMAN'S
HURRICANE |
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September 14th
2007 / Lion
Music |
 Following
swiftly on
the back of
2006’s
lavishly
acclaimed
“Walking On
H2O”,
Swedish
progressive
metal
masterminds
MIND’S
EYE
return with
their most
ambitious
and
accessible
album to
date in
“A
Gentleman’s
Hurricane”.
Taking their
musical and
lyrical
vision
another step
on, the band
has
delivered
the
world’s
first
cinematic
metal triple
pack
consisting
of CD /
Comic Book
and ‘making
of DVD’
which
portrays the
bands latest
concept with
the
following
story
premise…
In a dark
and foggy
day in
September,
three shots
are heard in
the deep
dark woods
of “The
Mother Of
Presidents”
state of
Virginia.
Adam
Evangelista,
a 53 year
old top
assassin
whose ice
cold walls
have now
been worn
down by his
continuing
growing
guilt,
searches for
an answer to
it all.
Acknowledging
that he
can’t
continue
without
finding a
way to ease
his mind, he
seeks refuge
at the
town’s
church where
Adam meets
the now
retired head
priest
Father
Cavallero Di
Mori,
coincidently
visiting his
old church
and parish.
Adam tries
to get into
the depths
of his own
disturbed
but genius
mind.
Describing
his life and
assassinations
for his new
friend
Father
Cavallero
during
sessions of
confessions,
both men
reveal deep
secrets
unknown to
the outside
world - dark
secrets they
are both
ashamed of.
Adam’s sins
and stories
stretch from
Sweden,
Ireland,
Italy,
France, to
the former
USSR ,
Mexico and
the USA.
Taking
orders from
the well
known secret
society ‘The
Illuminati’,
Adam’s
“marks” are
some of the
most
important
people in
our time.
But there is
a catch;
only seven
days to poor
his heart
out before
his very
last job and
time is
running out.
Twelve
Murders in
Seven days.
So little
time… So
much to
tell…
Now normally
I don’t
really have
much time
for plots on
concept
albums as
they
generally
loose focus
and well for
the most
part are
plain
boring. But
this one
perked my
interest,
and really
is the only
one that has
since
Queensryche’s
“Operation:Mindcrime”
almost 20
years ago.
Anyone that
read my
review of
“Walking On
H2O” knows
that I
thought it
was killer,
nothing to
complain
about at all
so how can
the band go
about better
that? Well
simply said
they have
albeit in a
different
guise, the
decision to
make the
band heavier
has paid
dividends.
If “Walking
On H2O” was
prog rock,
“A
Gentleman’s
Hurricane”
is Prog
Metal or
maybe
Technical
Metal yet
still
retains all
the
infectious
vocal
melodies the
band can now
call a
trademark.
Whilst the
music when
placed under
the
spotlight is
not so
complex, or
maybe all
over the
place as say
Dream
Theater
there is
greater
attention to
detail in
the form of
orchestration,
sound
effects,
voice-overs,
and melody
lines that
are simply
divine.
Make no
mistake this
is one
seriously
good
sounding
album and
probably
done on a
twentieth of
the budget
that many of
the
so-called
big names
get so full
marks need
to go the
production
crew of the
bands own
Daniel
Flores and
Johan
Niemann.
Opener
“Praying For
Confession”
begins with
a
atmospheric
intro (see
the story
intro text
above)
reminiscent
of a dark
thriller
full of
eerie
orchestration,
sound
effects
before the
weary voice
of main
character
Adam
Evangelista
who gives us
an insight
into his
mind "...Death...
death comes
to us all",
this paves
way for
grand
orchestration
before a
child's
choir adds
more depth
before the
band enter
with simple
power
chords.
Immediately
fans of the
bands
previous
output will
feel at home
here, the
trademark
lush
textures,
expressive
vocals and
overall
uniqueness
paves way
for the
track to
greet the
listener
with
welcoming
arms. Johan
Niemann
delivers a
melodic
guitar solo
over which
the build up
continues
before we
hear Adam
Evangelista's
first time
in
confessional
leading to
the
addictive
"Seven Days"
which again
is not too
likely to
alarm fans
of the bands
that got
onboard with
"H2O". The
track is
home to a
simply
amazing
vocal
performance
from Andreas
Novak whose
power, pitch
and overall
delivery of
a line is
faultless.
The chorus
itself is
crystal meth
in aural
form and
will be
stuck in
your head
long after
the album
has finished
(and it
won’t be the
last). The
track then
takes a
brief
respite
before Johan
delivers
another solo
– perhaps
best known
as bassist
in Therion,
this guy has
some serious
guitar chops
and puts
himself with
the top
players in
the prog
metal genre
with his
performances
throughout
the album.
The track
then picks
up in tempo
with Flores
raising the
intensity on
the drums
which is
mimicked in
synchronisation
by the
orchestration
with the
last chorus
seeing the
track out.
“AssasiNation”
picks up in
intensity
where “Seven
Days” left
off, yet
once again
the melodic
content is
high. The
initial
first verse
is eerie
with a sense
of impending
doom before
the delivery
kicks into
high gear.
The track is
just a
winner from
start to
finish with
the band
seemingly
able to
throw in
virtuoso
musical
performances
(just check
out the
drumming
here) into a
viable,
accessible
musical
framework
that in
itself has
enough
commercial
appeal to
not sound of
place on the
radio during
a mainstream
top 40
chart.
Don’t let
this scare
you off,
it’s a
testament to
what Mind’s
Eye have
managed to
do with the
genre and
deserves to
be praised
to the
roof. “Chaos
Unleashed”
maintains
the sound
heard so far
yet with a
few new
twists in
the form of
a more
simplified
verse and a
complex
middle
instrumental
passage
which leads
into guitar
and keyboard
solos.
begins with
some more
character
dialogue
between Adam
Evangelista
and Father
Cavallero Di
Mori. The
tempo here
is dropped
back a
little which
allows the
chorus to
swoop and
dive to
glorious
effect
(great vocal
harmonies
here once
again). The
incessant
driving
verse riff
allows the
keyboards to
add more
depth, its
subtle but
once heard
will blossom
with each
listen, the
tempo picks
up for
Johann to
let fly with
some two
handed
tapping
before
smooth
legato
brings the
brief solo
to its
climax
before the
chorus once
again
delights.
The last 30
seconds of
the track
sees the
track
breakdown to
piano and
vocals with
a melody
that
(surprisingly)
reminded me
of the Pet
Shop Boys
hit “It’s A
Sin” albeit
in a rather
different
musical
setting.
This paves
way for the
voice of the
head of the
Illuminati
to be heard
for the
first time
before
arguably the
band’s
heaviest and
most intense
track to
date.
“Feed My
Revolver”
will blow
you away
with all the
power of a
bullet from
“Dirty
Harry”
Callahan’s
.44 Magnum!
Check out
the video to
get a feel
for the
track.
Suffice to
say all the
new Mind’s
Eye
ingredients
come
together
here in fine
style,
although its
Andreas
Novak’s
soaring
vocals which
are the
icing on the
cake for
me.
“Ashes To
Ashes (In
Land
Lullaby)”
sees the
tempo remain
high and the
dark feel
looming ever
larger yet
once again
there is a
commercial
appeal here
that makes
it very
accessible.
The track
has a
melodic
breakdown
for the
bridge
before the
chorus
crashes back
in with a
voracious
appetite
which paves
the way for
Niemann to
lay down
some more
smoking lead
lines with
the main
solo being a
screamer.
The verses
are
relatively
straightforward
in their
approach and
this gives
the track
more power
than if more
complex
rhythms were
used –
simply said
another
winner.
“The Hour Of
Need”
gives the
listener a
brief
respite
beginning
with
dialogue
between Adam
Evangelista
and a female
escort Norma
Jean. The
track is
delicate
piano and a
vocal duet
between
Andreas and
Crucified
Barbara
vocalist
Mia
Coldheart
whose strong
vocals
compliment
each other
extremely
well.
“Red Winter
Sirens”
begins with
more film
like scene
setting this
time with
the action
heading to
Russia which
then builds
with a piano
motif and
lone vocals
from Andreas
which then
build with
orchestration
and clean
guitar –
here the
production
really
shines – the
track then
kicks in
with a mix
between the
sound the
band have
now
established
on AGH as
well as with
traces
(albeit in a
heavier
guise) of
the previous
album
“Walking On
H2O”.
Around the
2:30 mark
the tracks
moves up
another gear
with another
great feel
where
guitars,
bass and
orchestration
combine
superbly
allowing
Andreas’
vocals to
soar to even
greater
highs.
“Skin Crawl”
has more
movie effect
intro’s
before
slipping
into a
deeply
addictive
groove over
which Novak
sings the
lyrics with
a glorious
venomous
spite.
Another
highly
addictive
chorus leads
up back into
the kicking
verse
rhythm. The
tracks key
to its
success in
its perfect
mix of
melody and
musicality.
“Graveyard
Hands”
sees a
Celtic
influence
enter the
musical
format. The
tempo is
more
mid-tempo
than the
majority of
the material
on offer and
gives the
listener a
chance to
reflect on
what has
taken place
before and
gear up for
the finale
of “Say
Goodnight”
and the 10
minute epic
“Pandora’s
Musical Box”.
The former
is another
turbo
charged
riffer with
eerie
keyboard
effects
which is
probably my
least
favourite
track on the
album
sounding a
little
disjointed
when
compared to
the other
tracks, yet
given a few
spins shows
itself to be
a
interesting
composition
in itself
with a
strong
chorus.
Album closer
“Pandora’s
Musical Box”
is a superb
closer to
the album
with a very
modern feel
yet with a
strong
progressive
framework
which harks
back in
places to
the bands
sound heard
on the
“Waiting For
The Tide”
album
yet with the
new found
heavier
delivery.
The band
seemingly
having saved
their most
expansive
instrumental
sections
until last
where the
interplay
between
guitars,
drums and
keyboards is
highly
impressive
yet coherent
maintaining
a sense of
direction
and
purpose.
The final 2
minutes of
the track
return to
the film
score and
dialogue as
heard on the
opening cut
giving a
strong sense
of closure
to the story
line with
Adam
Evangelista
taking his
final
revenge.
As if the
album wasn't
enough the
bonus
"Making Of A
Gentleman"
DVD is a
superb
insight into
the making
of the
album,
showing that
band mainly
work in a
jamming
sense. The
feel very
much is live
and for the
moment and
with the
addition of
the "Feed My
Revolver"
video (which
looks
stunning in
uncompressed
format) and
an insight
into the
making of
the video
makes this
one DVD you
will be
revisiting
again and
again. The
accompanying
inlay
booklet/comic
book is
visually
stunning
with superb
artwork by
Mattias
Nóren along
with full
album
lyrics. The
vision shown
in the
triple pack
is only to
be
applauded.
As you may
have
gathered
“A
Gentleman’s
Hurricane”
is in my
opinion
destined to
be
considered a
true classic
of the
progressive
genre. What
Mind’s Eye
have
delivered
has not only
exceeded my
expectations
but also
raised the
bar of what
can be done
in this
musical
field.
Being a
perfect
marriage of
music and
film
influences
the album is
not only
interesting
in its plot
development
but also
breadth of
musical
skill and
delivery.
The trio of
Andreas
Novak, Johan
Niemann and
Daniel
Flores
deserve to
be at the
very top of
the genre
with a
reputation
that should
see them
talked about
in the same
circles as
the genre’s
biggest
sellers for
this album
slays the
competition.
Album of
2007? I
cannot see
anything
surpassing
this for
many years
to come; in
one word –
Essential.
Rating -
100%
Web Links
http://www.roundrec.com
http://www.myspace.com/eyeofthemind
review from
VirtuosityOne.com
|
MIND’S EYE ‘A Gentleman’s
Hurricane’ Lion Music (2007)
www.lionmusic.com
The band’s 2006 album
‘Walking On H20’ was superb
but they have only gone and
bettered it on this new
album, a concept piece
following the story of an
assassin and his confessions
to a priest, who himself
hides some dark secrets…
Opening with a very
cinematic piece ‘Praying For
Confession’ (grab your
headphones for this album to
fully appreciated the sound
effects and dialogue)
complete with strings,
massed choirs – the works
basically. Mind’s Eye are
the masters of creating
complex yet highly addictive
tunes and vocals none more
so than ‘Feed My Revolver’,
a great piece of melodic
prog rock and the lead
single complete with video.
In fact only A.C.T. come
close to Mind’s Eye skill at
harmony filled progressive
rock music.
Vocalist Andreas Novak is
performing at the top of his
game here – just marvel at
his voc al delivery on
‘Seven Days’ or
‘AssassiNation’.
Drummer/producer/arranger
Daniel Flores deserves
special mention as he has
produced a masterpiece here
– lots going on musically
and great attention spent in
the arrangements and
storyline. Johan Nieman on
guitar adds solos as and
when needed plus adds metal
bombast when required. For
fans of female vocals there
is a lovely duet on ‘The
Hour Of Need’ where
Crucified Barbara’s vocalist
Mia Coldheart blends well
with Andreas Novak’s vocal.
The whole album and story is
one of the best I have heard
since ‘Operation
Mindchrime’, yes it really
is that good! Fans of
melodic rock and progressive
rock/metal should add this
to their shopping lists now.
*****
Jason Ritchie
Get Ready To Rock
Mind's Eye - Waiting For The
Tide (2006) Lion Music
www.lionmusic.com
This is an
album which I have tried
really hard to love but have
ended up just liking, having
given it a lot of plays over
a couple of weeks.
Swedish prog
rockers Mind's Eye are new
to me, but Waiting For The
tide is a reissue (with a
couple of added bonus
tracks) of their second
album from 2000.
There must be
something in the water in
Sweden for there's
definitely a vibrant and
inventive progressive rock
movement over there, judging
by the music of Mind's Eye
and the wonderful A.C.T.
I've seen
Mind's Eye referred to as
prog metal, a label which I
think is far too limiting
for them on this showing.
Yes, they do at times recall
Dream Theater and
Queensryche, but there's an
emotional depth on display
which sets them apart, an
addictive melancholy.
They happily
flow between genres, with
the odd AOR moment and a
jazzy, fusion feel to much
of the material. I'm often
reminded of some of Tony
Banks' and Mike Rutherford's
early solo work.
The opener
Frozen Tears sets the tone
superbly, an insistent,
rhythm over the intro and
verse which suddenly gives
way without notice to a
languid, swirling chorus.
the effect is unexpected and
startling, soul among the
sandstorm.
But what
follows surpasses even that.
Calling (Father To Son) is a
meditation on a broken
relationship, a father
pleading for communication
with his absent son.
Considering that most of the
band were in early 20s when
this was recorded, it is an
astonishing feat lyrically
and it is matched by the
music, which floats lighter
than air, pulsing and
beautiful, supporting
Andreas Novak's vocal as he
wrings out every bit of
emotion.
No surprise
to learn that he has toured
with Andrew Lloyd Webber's
musical Jesus Christ
Superstar, playing Judas.
His voice is a powerful and
emotive instrument.
A Pond Of
Thoughts picks up the pace
again, before leading to the
two-part Spirits In The Room
(Closer/In My Mind) which
over a powerful 13 minutes
recalls a bad repeating
dream which Novak can't
escape.
The first
five tracks of this album
are indeed something to
love. But for me things tail
off for a while half way
though. The next three
tracks certainly demonstrate
the superb ensemble playing
of guitarist Frederik
Grunberger, bassist Johan
Biemann and drummer/keyboard
player Daniel Flores, but
they can't match what has
gone before in terms of
depth, emotion and memorably
melodic music.
It takes the
penultimte track Circles In
The Sand to rescue the
situation, once again
recalling the stirring,
memorable first half of the
album, Novak's vocal
lifiting it back to the
heights.
The two bonus
tracks are a bit of an
oddity, changing the mood of
the CD as a whole. Endless
Passages features their
previous singer and shows
that it was a wise move
getting Novak on board,
while Spellbound is an
instrumental which, while
very clever, overstays its
welcome.
Waiting For
The Tide is an album I will
definitely return to and
explore further. More
importantly, I plan to track
down their other releases,
including this year's
Walking On H2O, and see if
Mind's Eye have fulfilled
some of the early promise
they showed on this outing.
***1/2
Review by Ian
Harvey
www.getreadytorock.com
Mind’s
Eye
–
Walking
on
H2O
2005 Lion Music
There is something to be said about the melodic gusto that progressive metal bands bring when they expound upon the more traditional approach of early Dream Theater & Queensryche; and even with Walking on H2O being a concept album, Mind’s Eye still expounds a ballsy, hard driving approach to the world of thinking man’s metal.
Like Vanden Plas (earlier records), Stride, Vox Tempus, and Sphere of Souls, the emphasis is on the melodies; melodies that grab you by the throat and literally rip out your heart with the sophisticated ear candy provided. With elements of AOR and the presence of Yes-ish harmonies among the hard driving axe attack, tracks such as “A Rabbit in a Hat” and “Umbrellas Under the Sun” offer up the technical crunch, while more melodically tinged tunes like “Mrs. Clair Voyance” and “The Nazca Lines” perfectly cross melodic rock with progressive rock, keeping the musical prowess within the accessible scheme of things. Of course, emotion rears it’s head on “Equally Immortal,” “Heal My Karma,” and the mystical “Sahara in an Hourglass;” so you never know what to expect from one song to the next.
Balancing equal endurance between the keyboards and guitars, as well as allowing the “jam sessions” to move around the songs, Walking on H2O finds itself in the class with many some of the best progressive metal out there, and all because these guys take the grass roots approach. No symphonies, no choirs, no overzealous jam sessions. With a tight groove and lush sound that Mind’s Eye provide, there is no need for them.
Added:
May
17th
2006
Reviewer:
Tommy
Hash
www.ytsejam.com
Score:
 
Related
Link:
Minds
Eye
Link |
|
|
|
Artist/
Band: Mind's Eye
Title: Walking On H2O
Label: Lion Music
Year of Release: 2006
Artist/ Band Link (click
for details/ ordering)
The
Review:
- The
first time I heard of
“Mind’s Eye” was in June
2005 because I knew that
Daniel Flores, drummer
on Hubi Meisel’s solo
albums, had also his own
band. Being a very
talented musician, I got
curious to hear more
about Flores’ work and
last autumn, I really
got in touch with their
music for the first time
on online radio station
www.loudmetal.com. Then,
I guess it’s not really
necessary to precise
that I got quite happy
when I got the album in
order to review it! Once
again, I had the
incredible luck to
discover an other
awesome band who does
wonderful work and whose
projects succeed to
hypnotize us completely
from the beginning till
the end. “Walking On
H2O” is the fourth album
of the band.
This
Swedish band is only
formed of 3 members, but
oh, so marvelous ones in
every respect! I had
never heard of Andreas
Novak before and I’m
really glad that it’s
now something done. This
guy has such a
beautiful, clear, pure
and crystalline voice.
He’s able to sing sort
of strong/heavy too, but
it never sounds
aggressive and that’s
something I really love.
And what to say about
Daniel Flores (I never
knew he could also play
keys!!!), who does
ALMOST everything on
“Walking on H2O” (I say
“almost” because Johan
Niemann also did more
than playing), from the
production and the
mixing to the song
writing. And apart from
all that and playing the
drums and keys, he also
arranged the album and
recorded it in his own
studio. Quite
impressive, isn’t it! I
was very surprised!
I
think this concept album
about human evolution is
very deep too, touching
important and realistic
topics such as science,
pollution and
immortality, sometimes
mixing a bit of futurism
and supernatural too,
and all this through
amazing melodies and
choruses, very strong
and present in almost
every song. I would call
it an “in the face”
album, haha. Very direct
about the visions of
humanity. Very special,
personal and original CD
for sure! It also mixes
progressive and old rock
styles (sometimes
reminding me a tiny
little bit in some parts
– not all the time, of
course! – of “Rush” and
“Yes”, especially in the
songs “A Rabbit in the
Hat” and “Equally
Immortal” and “Ayreon”
in the songs “Earth –
The Movie” and “Out of
my System”), never
really having the same
vibe all along the CD
nor having a clear
definition between these
musical styles, which is
very good I think,
because it gives them a
particular and
individual style. An
other very strong and
important aspect of
“Walking On H2O” is the
lyrics, which are of
absolutely amazing
quality and in which
talent in song writing
is very noticeable!!!!
The keyboards are very
present too and every
single part of it is
great!
Basically, this album is
awesome on every level:
lyrics, music, melodies,
vocals, choruses, solos,
concept idea. An other
piece of work
fantastically and
brill | |
