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NORDREAM
"Memories
Progression" (Valiant Music Productions/MetalAgen; 2000)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
Often, in this great big world of ours, for one reason or another, we
don't get to hear some of the great music that is being created in countries outside of our own. With the Internet age the world is
becoming smaller, giving ample opportunity for labels and bands to take advantage of electronic
communication tools to make names for themselves. Valiant Music Productions, hailing from
Russia, has begun an aggressive marketing campaign to let the world know of their roster
of talented bands. One of those very talented bands is Nordream.
Nordream plays a brand of heavy progressive metal/rock with confidence, poise, and flashes of
metallic brilliance. I can't help but thinking Nordream sounds like a cross between all versions of
Metallica wrapped into one with the forward-looking style of Dream Theater. I suspect
many would disagree with me about the assessment of a Metallica melting pot being the basis for Nordream's
sound, but trust me, there's plenty of crunch among the progressive overtones.
Nordream blend guitars, bass, keyboards, and drums with effortless ease into a seamless thread of heavy metal, ethereal segues, and progressive passages. It is pointless to speak of individual songs as this disc should be enjoyed uninterrupted from beginning to end.
Nordream breaks enough rules to keep it interesting and still stay
within the lines as not to lose the casual listener with superfluous flights of self-indulgent fancy. Nordream's use of Russian melodies
bubbles beneath the surface enough to share a keyboard sound similar to their country mates in
Mental Home without resembling Mental Home in the least.
"Memories Progression" is on par with some of the best music being produced in the world today.
"Memories Progression" was produced by Igor Lobanov. The production is fantastic and everything is heard with clarity and precision.
Nordream is Rouben Kazariyan on guitars, Mikhail Khololov on bass, Julia Chistyakova on keyboards, and Stas Koulikov on drums. Lead vocals contributed by Oleg Alimov (Ens Cogitans, Oversun). Guest musicians and contributors include Igor Lobanaov (vocals), Svetlana Kolbasina (vocals), Boris Specter (spoken parts), and Andrei Ischenko (drums).
For more information visit http://listen.to/nordream.
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 © 2000 by R.
Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
Revised:
05 Oct 2021 21:08:58 -0400 .
