Parallaxe - Parallaxe

Year of Release: 2003
Label: self-released
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 54:36:00

It need not be said again that new progressive metal bands have an arduous task in front of them if they ever hope to transcend. Hell, yours truly has written that to the point of deserving a good beating for lack of originality and tiresome repetition, and the sickness begins to sink in as soon as the idea comes up. Alas, the quagmire of bands out there would have you believe, much like the world of shredders, that there's plenty of room left for the mediocre. Yeah right. As far as the rest of us are concerned, the only place where there is plenty of room left is right in front of Mike Tyson's iron fist. It's either that or Davy Jones'. Thing is, the French don't seem to be too keen on drowning, or cracked skulls at that, and Parallaxe is no exception.

The proof, you ask? Well, I certainly cannot vouch for the millions of people that live in France, but it just so happens that I can do so for the four young men that comprise the aforementioned band. These upstanding young fellows have not only released a demo that is surprisingly mature for a band that had only been together for a few months, but have also provided matching sound quality to boot. Add to that the fact that Parallaxe happens to have a particular fortune star in the shape of guitarist Alex Andrini and his ability to pull some really neat tricks out of his sleeve in order to distance himself enough from the clone epidemic, and you've got a unit with a bright future. Sure, there are things that can still be bettered, and the band still needs to separate itself completely from the womb of established progressive metal titans, but we'll get to that in a second. For now, this is your equation: Parallaxe demo = good.

Got it? Good. Because it is crucial to keep in mind that this is a demo we're talking about, or the recording would perhaps score a little bit lower, although still avoiding a spectacular beheading at the hands of yours truly. Sorry, no show this weekend ? come again next time for a dandy feast of death. For now, credit where credit is due: if there is one thing that must be mentioned in favor of these Frenchmen, it's the fact that they know how to groove. I mean, they really really really know how to groove. No joke. In fact, they go so far as to make it their first point of interest with a helluva catchy riff after an incredibly tasteful buildup at the beginning of "Acoustimatique," and almost close the entire affair with equal flair in a wonderful motive near the end of "Indian" that features a grandiose mood switch between the sad and the exotic. At that point, all systems go haywire. Other points of interest include a definite Gordian Knot influence, particularly on "In Extremis," as well as a surprisingly well executed "BWV Faintaisie," which, as its name suggests, pursues the neoclassical avenue; in Symphony X style just in case you were interested.

But if there is one thing that you should consider tattooing on your forehead, it's this: these guys are the masters of the prog metal groove. A fortunate characteristic to have in an instrumental band, especially in one that enters a field as populated as that of polished progressive metal. As mentioned, however, there are still some details here and there that could be fixed for the benefit of whoever is interested. For one, the Gordian Knot taste is a bit too strong and could certainly benefit from a little more originality, as could a couple of other moments throughout the recording. Moreover, there is still plenty of fat to be cut from the compositions, the latter which would probably be converted into absolute monsters if that task were done. Then erase most of "Paradoxe," and you've got yourself a winner. Still, however, this is a demo. And it's certainly successful at what it is meant to do: show that Parallaxe is a band with the goods to make something special. Fortunately, it doesn't seem like we'll have to cross our fingers much; it looks like that something special is bound to happen.

Tracklisting:
Acoustimatique (8:19) / Paradoxe (8:49) / In Extremis (7:26)/ Y2K (6:25)/ BWV Fantaisie (6:04) / Indian (17:30)

Musicians:
Alex Andrini - guitars
B?a Amani - bass
Matthieu Huck - keyboards
Bruno Fellonneau - drums

Discography:
Parallaxe (demo) (2003)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin FR

Added: August 24th 2003
Reviewer: Marcelo Silveyra
Score:
Artist website: parallaxemusic.free.fr
Hits: 1813
Language: english