Condition Red - Condition Red


Year of Release: 2000
Label: Lion Music
Catalog Number: LMC 2003 2
Format: CD
Total Time: 59:20:00

Finland based Lion Music is on the way to becoming a major force in progressive music. Recent releases have really impressed me as being right on the cutting edge. The label is unquestionably traveling down the road of progress in the development of the resurgent progressive rock-metal genre. Condition Red is a collection of songs from various artists that are breaking through barriers by using vehicles like compilations to introduce themselves and their catalogs of recorded works.

Alex Masi (guitar), Lars Eric Matteson (guitar, bass, keyboards), Ella Grussner (violin, lead vocals), Torgny Starnfelt (lead vocals), Derek Sherinian (keyboards), Alexander King (keyboards), Eddie Sledgehammer (drums), and Orjan Sjostrom (vocals) are the actors on this diverse shared stage of rock music. Never heard of some of these people? Stick around, you will.

The only vocals that I could appreciate were those of the women, the men are best to leave their aspirations to sing behind them and just play their instruments. There lies the difference between the long instrumental breaks on some of the tracks and the flat-out rocking instrumental pieces. "Lighthouse" is the one track that got my undivided attention. It's a typically long prog rocker (8:26 minutes), and the combination of guitars, bass, keyboards, drums, and pounding bass will grab you and pull you into the inundation of instruments that are hell bent on making you a believer in this music. Ideally you would like all music to keep you glued to the speakers, but it's not realistic to even consider that. For the most part music like progressive rock manages to keep me interested, with the exception of occasional abysmal vocals that detract from the great music. That didn't happen enough for me to feel discouraged and not feel the burning desire to continue to listen that's for sure. "Life Is Now" has a tale to tell as well... It rocks and pummels you into submission, making you want to drop to your knees and beg for more. And they all get the "Final Words" on the curtain closer, which is yet another prog time machine, lasting over seven and half minutes.

I look forward with anticipation and excitement to see how all of these artists develop. Lion Music will be a major contender for their share of the fans that live and die with each new release of prog rock and metal that can make a difference. Condition Red! An animal is on the prowl... it comes in the form of a lion and it has emerged from the darkness to mark its territory. Let the revolution begin...


Tracklisting:
Calls Out My Name (10:28) / Judgement Day (10:31) / Life Is Now (8:51) / Bach On The Streets Again (5:15) / Fly Me High (4:58) / Lighthouse (8:26) / Learning To Live (4:30) / Final Words (7:41)

Musicians:
Torgny Stj?rnfelt - vocals
Ella Grussner - vocals, violin
Lars Eric Mattsson - guitar, bass, keyboards
Alex Masi - guitar
Alexander King - keyboards
Esa Pietil? - sax
Eddie Sledgehammer - drums
Derek Sherinian - keyboards (3, 8)
Orjan Sj?str?m - backing vocals

Discography:
Condition Red (2000)
II (2003)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin SE

Added: August 31st 2001
Reviewer: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck

Artist website: www.condition-red.com
Hits: 2203
Language: english

  

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