Mind's Eye - Waiting For The Tide


Year of Release: 2000
Label: Round Records
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 54:42:00

This Swedish four-piece started out in 1992 under the name Afterglow. Die-hard prog fans might have been fortunate enough to get a copy of their debut disc while it was still available. That CD received rave reviews and was voted demo of the year by Swedish mag Backstage. 1996 saw a few changes as the band got a new vocalist and the new name - Mind's Eye. Their debut, Into The Unknown, on the Sensory label was sadly an overlooked release. For the new album the band both replaced the vocalist and label.

There hasn't been much buzz around this CD, so I guess it's time make things clear. Mind's Eye play a superb mix of prog rock and prog metal, with atmosphere, complexity and feeling. Although this band features brilliant musicians, it is the melodies that are in focus. The music changes between heavy parts and soft parts, but always with a present technical and complex edge. Lots of odd time changes, complex parts and passages. The guitars change between heavy chords, soft clean guitars, acoustic parts and some jazzy stuff. The guitars are awesome, coming off varied, technical and intelligent. A delight! The drumming is really good and technical, but without overdoing it. The same thing can be said about the bass, which is always present. The keys add the final touches to the songs, always present, varied and tasty. Awesome! On top of this, the strong mid-ranged vocals by Andreas Novak are very good. He has a clean voice, with lots of emotion in his delivery. The production is very good as well, coming off crisp and clear, with every instrument present. The songwriting, arrangements and musicianship are as good as it gets and I must say that I am really impressed by this disc. The CD comes along with a beautiful, professional looking booklet.

The songs are full of melody both in verses and choruses. At the same time the music is very technical, but in a way that is hard to notice, because they have kept the melody to the songs. This disc is for all fans of melodic, complex prog metal, with superb musicians. It's hard to make comparisons, as they do have their own personality, which is a big plus! Note that it might take several spins before this thing stick to you. I've been listening to this for about a month and a half and it keeps getting better and better for each spin! Easily one of the best this year!

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
Frozen Tears (6:53) / Calling: Father To Son (5:48) / A Pond Of Thoughts (4:46) / Closer: Spirits In The Room Part 1 (5:19) / In My Mind: Spirits In The Room Part 2 (7:52) / Primitive Light (5:24) / Jealousy In Disguise (6:21) / Fall On Trust (4:19) / Circles In The Sand (6:34) / ?Fade Out (1:10)

Musicians:
Andreas Novak - vocals
Fredrik Grunberger - guitars
Daniel Flores - drums and keyboards
Johan Niemann - bass

Discography:
Afterglow (1994) (demo)
Into The Unknown (1998)
Waiting For The Tide (2000/2002)
Record Heaven Sampler (2000) (free with Progression Magazine)
Powermad 2000 Sampler (2000)
Transcending The Mundane Sampler (2000)
Warning: Minds Of Raging Empires - A Tribute To Queensryche (2000)
'Calling (Father To Sun)' (2000)
A Work Of Art (2002)
Walk On H20 (2006)
A Gentleman's Hurricane (2007)
1994: The Afterglow (remastered ed. of first album) (2008)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin SE

Added: January 17th 2005
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Artist website: www.roundrec.com
Hits: 2442
Language: english

  

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