Twilight Symphony - Crossed Dimension

Year of Release: 2003
Label: independent
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 72:54:00

Crossed Dimensions is the second full album released by unsigned band Twilight Symphony, following their self-titled debut in 2001. Although the individual musicians have skill, and the production is good, to me this is a fairly tepid album that I just couldn't enjoy. It's a concept piece, set in a hypothetical sci-fi future where the Egyptians have grown into a superhuman race, taken over as masters of the world, and meet their eventual downfall. Though an interesting precept, I found the story and lyrics awkward and poorly written, which was a real distraction.

As I mentioned, there's technical talent here; each musician is good at what they do, but I feel as though they don't mesh as well as they could. It really seems to me as though they would work better as solo musicians rather than an ensemble (as the solos are actually quite good, compared to the tutti sections). The timing doesn't feel quite on at times, particularly in chuggy "background" sections where it feels as if the musicians drift apart, and there are some parts where it just feels clumsy. I don't care if it was written that way, Led Zeppelin's "Black Dog" (to pick an example) was written the way it sounds as well, and some of the timing in that still puts my teeth on edge. As far as I'm concerned, if it sounds awkward, or makes me feel awkward to listen to, it is awkward.

There's some nice guitar sections in "Miles Away" and "Time To Decide," and also good keyboards in "The Killing Words" and "Undecided" (which is probably the only track I really did like, a nicely atmospheric instrumental). The songwriting is not bad, but a little unimaginative. Some of the album's heavier sections can be catchy, but overall there was nothing much that grabbed me. My other gripe was with the vocals, which are very uncomfortable on the ear, as if John Skidmore is ill at ease with the range he's trying to display.

Overall I just did not like this album, I found it for the most part unremarkable, and in parts grating and unwieldy. The musicianship is reasonable, but I feel there are a few things that need developing before they make the transition from merely competent to actually enjoyable. Definitely has not made my favourites.

[This review originally appeared July 2003 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]

Tracklisting:
Egypt / Legacy / The Killing Words / Miles Away / The Pain I'm In / Frozen Fire / Undecided / Time To Decide / Eye Of The Hurricane / Oblivion (The Dying Race) / Supernova / Reflections / Wide Awake

Musicians:
John Wolf - vocals
Jimmy Romero - guitars
Frank Munoz - drums
Rix Starr - bass

Discography:
Twilight Symphony (2001) Crossed Dimension (2003)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin US

Added: January 31st 2005
Reviewer: Karyn Hamilton
Score:
Artist website: www.twilightsymphonyonline.com
Hits: 2495
Language: english