Stride - Imagine

Year of Release: 2005
Label: Sensory
Catalog Number: SR-3029
Format: CD
Total Time: 51:02:00

Evaluation:

Progressive metal is an over-used tag, and unfortunately, like anything that is bandied about too often, has become hackneyed. Progressive used to denote adventurous, cutting-edge, ahead of the curve and similar. Nowadays, anything that boasts distorted guitars, guitar and keyboard dueling, a "soaring" vocalist, time changes or arcane concepts is considered to be progressive metal?

Analysis:

This is derivative. Worse than derivative, it is plagiaristic. It certainly isn't progressive. The band has tremendous instrumental prowess, and the vocalist has a terrific, powerful voice with incredible range, but they fundamentally lack any imagination or craftsmanship. The songs are boring, flat and devoid of any emotional content whatsoever and the lyrics are banal, reminiscent of the worst of the 80's hair-metal offenders.

I am astonished at the skill and dedication on display here, but find myself ruefully shaking my head as I listen to each song meander from cliché to cliché.

I wouldn't have been as disappointed by this disc had I not read the descriptions before I listened to it. I'm an optimist ... I hope against hope that each time I receive a disc to review (or worse still purchase something to review) that this time the hype will be understatement?

Rating:

2.5 /5 (the plus is because I didn't pay for the disc?this time)

Summary:

Call it 80s inspired hair-metal, or call it "Journey-esque" ? just don't call it progressive metal. Even better, call it quits.

Tracklisting:
Imagine (5:07) / Alive (5:29) / Endeavor To Persevere (4:26) / How Far (6:29) / Role Model (7:40) / The Waiting (5:30) / Ion Drive (3:41) / Face The Day (6:29) / Time (6:08)

Musicians:
Gary Belin - vocals
Joel Gregoire - guitars
Matt Kanzler - drums
Rick Flores - keyboards
Mike Martin - bass

Discography:
Music Machine (2001)
Stride & Friends - Bah Humbug (2003)
Imagine (2005)

Genre: Melodic Metal

Origin US

Added: January 5th 2006
Reviewer: Jan-Mikael Erakare
Score:
Artist website: www.strideonline.com
Hits: 1721
Language: english