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SPHERIC UNIVERSE EXPERIENCE
www.sphericuniversexp.com
France is a country not frequently quoted in conversations regarding progressive metal but with bands like Adagio, Venturia and Symbiosis, it should obtain mention among accomplished in-depth proggers’ conversations. So with some portion of decent prog bands coming out of France, what can Spheric Universe Experience offer that has not been said before with their third full-length album ‘Unreal’. This release lyrically addresses the paranormal in its multiple guises including aliens, dreams, ghosts, the afterlife, telepathy and curses. Musically, Spheric Universe Experience sound like an intensely heavier version of Symphony X who are more conscious of their keyboards and less virtuosic. The vocalist Franck Garcia sounds akin to Russell Allen in his later years with soaring melodic voices that occasionally stray into rougher territory. Garcia certainly has a particularly dexterous command over his vocal abilities. The keyboards vary their sounds, opting for Star One self-styled space metal oddity with ‘White Willow’, ‘Awake’-era Kevin Moore on ‘Lakeside Park’ and a beautiful piano on the instrumental ‘Near Death Experience’. Unfortunately, sometimes they become too overwhelming and distract from the main body of the music. Guitars prioritise heaviness which becomes wearisome hurriedly. It also acts corrosive towards the music when the guitars begin to audibly buzz, contradicting the polished instrumentation as heard on ‘Lost Ghost’. A lack of variation on the guitar’s part declines the album in favour and the listener desires more disparity. Some melodic yet technical passages would have sufficed better. Over all, this release has some potential and great ideas but the band fleshes out their creativity in a disappointing manner with too many features going against their intentions. Better luck next time, guys.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Sensory Records
Album
UNREAL
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Review by Elena Francis
RUNNING TIME:
49:41
RELEASE DATE:
21st Sept 2009
TRACK LISTING
1) White Willow
2) Down Memory Lane
3) Lakeside Park
4) 3rd Type
5) Near Death Experience
6) Lost Ghost
7) Dragged
8) OBE
9) Tomorrow
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
France
"...this release has some potential and great ideas but the band fleshes out their creativity in a disappointing manner with too many features going against their intentions."