Slavior - Slavior

Year of Release: 2007
Label: InsideOut
Catalog Number: SPV 79352 CD/IOMCD 271
Format: CD
Total Time: 56:51:00

With the first song, "Origin," this album immediately grabs your attention. To give you proper warning, it's not at all a pleasant gesture. I'd compare it to the talons of a bird of prey searing flesh. Whether you were on a peaceful stroll, a Sunday drive, or daydreaming upon the Holodeck, this will abruptly pluck you from your lollygagging.

While it's agitated and angry, I found the chaos quite entertaining. Not to mention, I like the album more as it progresses towards the crest. When we arrive at the middle, my favorite milestone is encountered in "Altar." Believe me, it's no sacrifice to climb these steps just to pay it your mind and forfeit your time. This trifling bribe is well worth the expense.

On the whole, the songs get whipped and struck by the strings and sticks, and then manifest into melodic affliction. The burden is easily endured, because this painful thrashing is so close to pleasure. These sanctimonious rhythms and insightful incisions demonstrate a conscious encumbrance and a testy ordeal; however, we encounter various types of torture. Aside from the acute aches inflicted by the blunt instruments, some contusions are the result of some super-duty intense weight. The dark matter is especially heavy in "Another Planet." Within the hub of this heavenly body is a hardcore crust that's durable, stoic, and tough. Moreover, the track named after this creation and the band is in some ways the most stalwart song on the album.

Alternatively, the structure of "Red Road" reflects a highly-intelligent presence. In its omnipotence and wisdom, it exacts a less callous cut. Undo the lock with the obscure semaphore mentioned from before, and you have assimilated the beautiful and curious people with the initial stages of a newly infant civilization on Mars. During its genesis, it's painted in the most pleasant shades of crimson. Once it's over, wait and see. This one has trailing glyphs to lay bare when you spelunker and scan the subterranean, stony walls at the back end of the abyss.

He may have an identity crisis, chronic fatigue, or maybe even post traumatic stress disorder from his service with Fates Warning, as his drums were reserved, constrained, and in some measure, stunted. His former confederates would swell with pride if they saw how he has come of age. He's gone his own way to make his untapped prototypes and fallow philosophies come to fruition, and in accordance with the fee, he has earned his very own avatar to be filed with the register of deeds.

Jim Matheos might be the man when it comes to experimental riffs on the guitar. Then again, Mark Zonder's drums are more than investigational in this venture. Each tentative note brings us further from conventional formulas and emblematic theorems. With his mixture of speed and patience, he packs a lot into the equation.

I've seen it all before, and this could be a mediocre album if not for the exceptional drumming. His skill is matched only by the abacus's correspondingly-clever arrangements. The other two playmates aren't too shabby either with a guitar that embodies his mentor's moody gyrations. Also into the bargain is a bass that is brutally vicious. At a minimum, every aspect of the album respectfully exceeds the average.

That's it in a nutshell, but I have one a couple points of contention to tidy up...

First, there is this brief addendum on the artwork: To cover all the bases, it's crucial to note that the imagery is lucidly appropriate. It shows a demonic disc on a turntable that's melted in pyre. The vinyl egg is impregnated with ambitious tadpoles that interminably toddle through the murky coals while circumventing the fire from the emblem.

Subsequently, he's in the back of the picture printed on the milieu. Even though this is his project, he's chosen a name that's equally shared among his hired hands, and his placement in the photograph further acknowledges his placement on the stage. This is quite a bit different from Carl Palmer, for example, who is front and center, and without a singer.

Last of all, I'm unsure about the title: Slavior. It might be a hybrid between a slave and a savior. Whatever the case may be, this rounds out a bill of brave new acts, and it's music for the people. I'd hypothesis that many fans will be ready to receive the messages dispensed here. Afterwards, they'll surely await his second coming.

As for now, this revelation strikes down upon thee with great and furious vengeance. With the rebirth of Zonder in this new form, Progressive Metal may have found its next messiah.

Tracklisting:
Origin (3:57) / Shatter (4:43) / Swept Away (5:09) / Altar (4:44) / Another Planet (5:01) / Deeper (4:25) / Dove (4:55) / Slavior (5:40) / Give It Up (4:49) / Red Road (5:55) / Bonus Track: Come Alive (7:27)

Musicians:
Mark Zonder - drums
Wayne Findlay - guitars, keys
Gregg Analla - vocals, bass

Discography:
Slavior (2007)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin US

Added: April 7th 2007
Reviewer: Joshua "Prawg Dawg" Turner
Score:
Artist website: home.earthlink.net/~waynefindlay/
Hits: 3435
Language: english