Like the magnificent last album of the Danes of 'Royal Hunt' (see chronicle of myprogmusic here), did not refer to a first part, we did not expect to get over it a little bit, and then… we now have the sequel to put on between the ears. So, given the level of the first opus, what about this sequel to this story inspired by 'Ray Bradbury' novel, 'Fahrenheit 451'? No need to make you languish, we are at the same level as the little brother with, icing on the cake, the experience of the two years of pandemic which made it possible to refine it and adapt it to reality, I quote the group: "Looking back to the release date of 'Part I' in 2020, one realizes the crazy times we've all been through in the last two years: who could have imagined that our project 'Dystopia' would reflect the harsh reality with so much details? And the madness is still going on. In any case, 'Dystopia, Part II' is even more relevant than ever: we followed the general concept, but filled it with images of current events in order to make it resonate with every single person, having lived the past two years, watching the madness unfold in real time.”
First, it is now necessary to take the whole of the two parts as a whole: the proof, to begin and plunge us directly back into the story, the introduction 'Midway (Resumption)' is the logical continuation of the last title of the first album 'Midway (Intermission Ii)' and the cast implements a line up with the same guest singers (and what a cast!!). We get to the heart of the matter with 'Thorn In My Heart', a composition that will get you in shape for a whole day and which pours out a first melody that will trigger you to lose your voice by dint of screaming the chorus and which, despite the length of nearly 9 minutes, shows all the talent of this formation to tape us from the beginning to the end without any weariness. The vocal duo 'Dc Cooper'/'Mats Leven' accompanies us on an epic 'The Key Of Insanity', which shows a face mixing progressive and symphonic metal, the melodic lines being always very catchy, then, we are welcomed by keyboards to electronic sounds on 'Live Another Day' which is gradually gaining momentum with the arrival of bass and guitars to offer us a magnificent title with remarkable alternations of intensities bringing this progressive side while keeping a terrible melodic efficiency, the kind of composition that borders on 10 minutes but, despite this length, keeps us spellbound from beginning to end thanks to sophisticated vocal and instrumental arrangements. Follows the short instrumental 'Live Another Day' which highlights the catchy rhythm section and keyboards and guitar which pass the ball in an admirable sound contest, then, 'One More Shot', it is with the former singers of 'Royal Hunt', 'Henrik Brockmann' and 'Mark Boals' that we continue our symphonic-progressive adventure in a catchy new saga with an addictive melody that will freeze directly deep in our brains and automatically start the headbanging machine in the chorus. We arrive at the long development 'Scream of Anger' which alone is worth the purchase of this album and which mixes rock and inventive progressive metal, embarking us for 14 minutes in a remarkable sound labyrinth made of alternations of atmospheres, instrumental arrangements are always very sought after and leave a good place for the majestic guitar solos of 'Jonas Larsen'. And to rest from this pharaonic title, 'Left in the Wind' arrives at the right time to distill us a very beautiful power ballad which unfolds memorable melodic lines before closing this second part of 'Dystopia' with the short and epic orchestral instrumental 'Resurrection F451' which gives an irresistible urge to press the play button.
In summary, as you will have understood, the little brother of 'Dystopia' has the same assets as the big brother and the Danes of 'Royal Hunt' still release an admirable album which in the end makes it a double CD for nearly two hours of progressive with unstoppable melodies which means that the set should join the ideal discotheque of any amateur and any progressive metal lover in the same way as the great productions of Arjen Lucassen' with, among others , his project 'Ayreon', or the albums of 'Tobias Sammet' with his project 'Avantasia' (see the latest album here) or the metal opera 'The Astonishing' from 'Dream Theater'... | |
