Timeline - Timeline

Year of Release: 2005
Label: Independent
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 49:50:00

If I were to begin another progressive metal review with a new elaboration on the all-too familiar comment of there being very few new bands with any originality in the genre, chances are I'd die from boredom even before one of my two remaining loyal readers got here and tried to rip my heart out with a teaspoon. In other words, I'm not going to pretend to be eloquent about it, and I sure as hell don't plan to die before I go to the Rainbow tomorrow. Let it suffice for me to say that Timeline, the specimen hereby reviewed, has its own sound, which is good because of two things: One: I'll be able to go out tomorrow. Two: Eric Boles, the band's singer, sounds like Psychotic Waltz' Buddy Lackey, which is pretty damn interesting considering the fact that most people try to sound like James LaBrie or some succedaneum thereof nowadays. Three (I never learned how to count, so sue me): There are hints not only of Psychotic Waltz and Rush, but also of relatively-obvious acts like IQ and Marillion, and even a subtle whiff of Guns N' Roses at the very end of "Rampage." Moving on?

Boles' comrades are all in top shape technically, can put their respective pairs behind their playing, and have a nice taste for diversity. The kindergarten star, however, goes to Patrick Alvarez's little (or big, I don't know the guy, so sue me) forehead, for his tasty flurry of activity recalls a young Neil Peart's, who in turn would have received a shiny star sticker decades ago were this particular reviewer quite a bit older. But what the hell, this is a nice kindergarten teacher we're talking about, so they all get stars just because of the fascinating chorus of "Mirror In The Sky," the wonderful Arabic tints in "Journey's End," and the interesting, mysterious, and grand slow pace of most of "Heart Of The Storm." In fact, although flawed in certain aspects, Timeline's songwriting will allow the band to skip a bunch of grades as far as I'm concerned. And if I turn a blind eye to the slouch "Borrowed Time" and the trite "When I Look Into Your Eyes," well, I can't help but think that these guys are really on to something. Alright, so I'm not really a kindergarten teacher. Sue me.

Now, I'm no kindergarten teacher, and I might be a snake, but I'm no liar. Timeline is a band with rough songwriting edges yet to sort out, and its debut's production could certainly be more solid, which would have let the members' instruments breathe more at certain points where things get just a slight bit too muddy, but there is definitely promise here. This is a band that is certainly not afraid to show that Dream Theater, for instance, is an influence, but that manages to stay miles away from being a shameless and faceless clone. This is a band that, although definitely metal, is not afraid of veering into neo-prog territory with the instrumental "Vertigo." This is a band that ? damn it, I ran out of ideas. Sue me. The point, however, is that Timeline has released a debut that is fairly enjoyable, establishes an original sound, and shows that this band could eventually stand out in the progressive metal camp if the right choices were made in its evolution. Nice to see that such bands still exist. Or at least, that's my opinion. Don't like it? Sue me.

Similar artists: Psychotic Waltz, Rush

Tracklisting:
Mirror In The Sky (4:46) / Redemption (4:40) / Vertigo (5:12) / The Burn (5:09) / Rampage (3:44) / Journey's End (6:09) / Heart Of The Storm (5:24) / Karocell (4:38) / Borrowed Time (5:54) / When I Look Into Your Eyes (4:09)

Musicians:
Patrick Alvarez - drums, percussion
Paul Alvarez - bass
Eric Boles - vocals
Scott Evers - keyboards
Rich Stewart - guitasr
Chris Welcher - guitars

Discography:
Timeline (2005)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin US

Added: July 31st 2005
Reviewer: Marcelo Silveyra
Score:
Artist website: www.timelinemusic.net
Hits: 1950
Language: english