MUSEUM OF FEAR
"The
God in My Closet" (Dirge Records; 2006)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
Dirge Records, a new label based out of Baltimore (http://www.dirgerecords.com), has issued its first offering. Dirge Record’s debut to the world is Museum Of Fear’s EP “The God In My Closet.”
Museum Of Fear originated back in the mid-‘90s after the progressive metal band Apollo Ra dissolved. Museum Of Fear released an album way back in 1994 before splitting up in 1995. Fast-forward a decade and the core of the band has continued to write and record with the EP “The God In My Closet” as the new result.
“The God In My Closet” echoes classic progressive rock and progressive metal with a hearty infusion from modern rock and a slight touch of alternative. I’m finding it difficult to apply a proper label to the six songs (or “exhibits” as the band calls them) on “The God In My Closet.” This, of course, makes it a tough task for you, dear reader, to get a sense of what Museum Of Fear have to offer based on what I write here. But this very situation makes for an appealing approach for the band – the band’s musical world is free of constraints and boundaries.
The opening track, “Darkest Days,” covers a broad spectrum of moods – however, it’s probably the weakest track on the album. “Always Goodbye,” the EP’s second track is more subdued and is the most modern rock sounding song on the album. “Mindwheel,” track three, elevates the heaviness with driving bass lines – this is the track that really mirrors the progressive metal sounds I’m used to hearing from local bands. Track four, “Afterthought,” utilizes acoustic guitars to great effect and wouldn’t be out of place on a Porcupine Tree album. “Fade” and “Walking Wounded” end the disc – the moody, somber “Fade” is the calm before the storm as “Walking Wounded” slow burns towards an emotional finale that leaves it as the album’s most impressive track.
Museum Of Fear evokes the sound of what we might hear on a later era Queensryche album that would’ve gotten scrapped because it didn’t sound like the ’ryche. The material on Museum Of Fear’s “The God In My Closet” also strikes me as something that Extreme might have tried to do during their bold and quasi-progressive “Three Sides To Every Story” era. Finally, Museum of Fear is stronger musically than vocally, but this doesn’t detract from the EP at all.
I encourage you to visit www.myspace.com/museumoffear to hear what the band has to offer (as of this writing the band has four tracks on myspace.com, two of which appear on this EP and two are “new” tunes).
“The God In My Closet” was produced by Museum of Fear. A crystal clear sound permeates all six tracks of “The God In My Closet” which helps the band get its point across.
Museum of Fear: Daniel Miller on vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, bass and nonsense; Bill McKeown on electric and acoustic guitars, bass, keyboard and drum programming; and Mike Shaw on drums. Guest musicians include Steve Albinak on drums and electronic percussion, Darren Wallach on drums, Tom Dvorak on piano, and Dave Shaw on bass.
For more information visit http://www.myspace.com/museumoffear.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2005 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 18 Mar 2024 11:16:02 -0500.
