Band: MindMaze

Album: Resolve

Available: April 28, 2017 via Inner Wound Recordings

Reviewer (Text): Mason

Reviewer (Audio): Nick

MindMaze Online

Buy Resolve

Five and a half years and a name change ago I pledged money on Kickstarter for the first MindMaze album, Mask of Lies, and honestly had no idea what to expect from an unsigned band that had what I thought was a modest funding goal. At worst I figured I would have a unique reminder of obscure metal history as this was my first ever backing on Kickstarter (feel free to follow me there, but be warned most of the projects I back are not music related). However, myself and the other backers were treated to an album that far exceeded expectations, and helped MindMaze attract enough attention from Inner Wound Recordings to sign them before the release of their second album Back From the Edge, which demonstrated growth as musicians, songwriters, and on the production front, as well as increasing the notoriety of the band as they were able to secure the guest services of Symphony X’s Mike LePond on bass.  Heading into their third album, my expectations were high. Let’s see how it fares…

Resolve is the third album from Allentown based band, MindMaze.  Unlike its predecessors, Resolve is a concept album and it is clear that the band’s message in this album comes from within and is more personal than their previous work.

The cornerstone of the band continues to be guitarist Jeff Teets and his sister, vocalist Sarah Teets.  Jeff continues to showcase impressive solos and catchy riffs, and demonstrates a commitment to his craft, as this album is the most diverse musically for the band up to this point, exploring more subdued and softer tones as the story of the album requires. Sarah provides her talents again, and like Jeff continues to find new ground to explore, while sounding as powerful as ever and maintaining her unique qualities among female metal vocalists by rarely going to the soprano range where many of her female colleagues tend to reside. Rich Pasqualone returns as the bass player, resuming his duties from the first album.  His talents are more evident this time around as the bass sound is more pronounced on this album than the debut album. The drumming is ably performed by a combination of new member Mark Bennett, as well as Jeff, and their work on the skins is a big reason the album comes together nicely.

While everyone individually performs well, this album is best described as gestalt, and is much greater than the sum of its parts. Where Resolve really separates itself from its predecessors is from the quality and sophistication of the production.  Resolve is the richest, most polished sound the band has put out to this point. This album makes the most of layering tracks and creates the richest sound up to this point. The album sees have added notes of spice using production effects sparingly, but at appropriate times on Sarah’s vocals.  Gang vocals are also used well for emphasis at times. Another strength of the album is that it is hard to pick standout tracks because the difference between my favorite track and least favorite track is quite small. The album engages the listener from start to finish, with no low point in to speak of in terms of overall enjoyment.   As stated earlier, Resolve is also the most musically diverse and exploratory album; it features the band’s most notable ballad, the widest range of musical styles, and the most emotive lyrics the band has put forth to date.

The easy short review of this album is that is their best yet, and that’s not a small feat in of itself. If this album were released in any previous year,

It was November 2015 onboard the Norwegian Pearl that I first learned about the project that would become Nova Collective. Richard Henshall, guitarist and songwriter of progressive metal shooting stars Haken was telling me about an upcoming trip to America with ex-Haken keyboardist Pete Jones in order to work with Between the Buried and Me bassist Dan Briggs on an instrumental outing. Matt Lynch from Cynic would round out the quartet, and now more than a year after they got together The Further Side is finally available to fans.

Over fourteen minutes we discussed this exciting new project, as well as Richard‘s involvement in Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress, as well as a brief look back and forward from the Haken camp. For those interesting in hearing more from Nova Collective you are free to peruse two tracks from the album below.

Buy The Further Side

Nove Collective Online

Haken Online

For those who may not know, Cruise to the Edge is one of several music festivals that has taken to the seas in recent years. Having now been on two of these Yes branded cruises, as well as Progressive Nation at Sea, I will continue to say that these water based festivals are the single best festival experiences you can have, along with also most likely being the most expensive. Through this episode we have music from many of the bands that performed, as well as commentary on the cruise and the individual shows. Information on the next Cruise to the Edge has already come out on Facebook, and it will expand to 5 days at sea through early February 2018. Keep an eye on their site here for more information in the future.

Finally, while I usually use album art or promotional photos with the episode, tonight I’m taking one from the cruise experience. Even though it’s not credited on the photo, I happen to know this one was taken by the awesome Joel Barrios of Norrsken photography. Chances are you’ve seen some of Joel‘s music related work at some point, and he did a fantastic job shooting on the cruise, so if you fancy please give his Facebook page a like here.

2017-02-22

Dream Theater – The Glass Prison

John Wesley – Once a Warrior

John Lodge – 10,000 Light Years Ago

Flying Colors – Kayla

Transatlantic – We All Need Some Light

Haken – Celestial Elixir

Pain of Salvation – In the Passing Light of Day

District 97 – Death By a Thousand Cuts

The Neal Morse Band – Sloth

Bad Dreams – Closer

Spock’s Beard – On a Perfect Day

Yes – Into the Lens

Frost* – Numbers

Stick Men – Plutonium

Genesis – Firth of Fifth

Liquid Tension Experiment – Acid Rain

Dream Theater – The Shattered Fortress

Our first normal broadcast of 2017 brings with it a feature for the first major release of the year, In the Passing Light of Day from Pain of Salvation. I’m not going to spend too much time on the album, because Joe already graced the site with a very insightful review here. While I personally was not turned off by the band’s Road Salt albums, I know many fans were, and if you were one of those people I truly think the band will bring you back into the fold with this release. While my favorite songs may differ from what Joe had in his review, I certainly agree with his overall very strong “A” grade on the album. And what is extra exciting is that American fans may get to see a lot of this material on the road as the band will be doing a full tour! Here are the full dates:

Feb. 7-11 Tampa, FL – Mexico – Cruise to the Edge

Feb. 12 Tampa, FL, The Orpheum

Feb. 14 Houston,TX, The Scout bar

Feb. 15 Dallas, TX, Gas Money

Feb. 16 Kansas City, MO, The Riot Room

Feb. 18 Chicago, IL, Reggies

Feb. 19 Detroit, MI, The Token Lounge

Feb. 21 Toronto, ON, Mod Club

Feb. 22 Quebec, QC, Le Cercle

Feb. 23 Montreal, QC, Le Tulipe

Feb. 24 Buffalo, NY, Iron Works

Feb. 26 New York, NY, The Marlin Room

And finally, don’t forget to buy the album here, and in case you need more convincing, the video for “Reasons” is below for your viewing pleasure.

Next up is some huge news, included in this podcast only thanks to my tardiness. On the broadcast on Wednesday I informed everyone that a new Ayreon album was on the way and it was to be titled The Source. Normally I would post the podcast later in the evening and that’s all we would know, but a day later we’ve got a lot more info, and one of the coolest videos I’ve seen in recent years! The album is due out April 28th and the 12+ minute video of the first track features every single vocalist on the album. You can choose from a myriad of pre-order choices here, and check out the awesome video below.

Although I don’t have much other info, it’s worth noting that April 28th will also see the release of Grimspound from Big Big Train. In more immediate release news Blackfield has the album V arriving on February 10th and you can pre-order that here. Next up is Tim Bowness releasing Lost in the Ghost Light on February 17th (order here), and The Mute Gods releasing Tardigrades Will Inherit the Earth on February 24th (order here). You can check out a track from each of those releases below.

Finally comes the tour news. Iron Maiden and Ghost will be hitting the road together and you can get full info and dates here. And just announced Coheed and Cambria will be touring, playing From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness in its entirety. They will joined by The Dear Hunter, and you can get a full list of dates

Another year in music has come to a close! As is customary we have put an end to 2016 with an extended six hour wrap-up show, hitting most of the albums discussed in our “Best of 2016” retrospective, and a ton of other material as well. As usual we used musical additions from contributors and listeners to help round out the show and paint a more complete picture of the year. Once again, congratulations to our album of the year, Theories of Flight from Fates Warning! For more, well, I said far too much in six hours, so I’m not going to bore you here, just take a listen and enjoy a share of the amazing music available to you from the past year!

2017-01-04: 2016 Year End Wrap-Up Spectacular

Big Big Train – Folklore

The Dear Hunter – Cascade

Long Distance Calling – Getaway

Messenger – Calyx

Evergrey – Passing Through

Circus Maximus – Flames

Redemption – Slouching Towards Bethlehem

Evermind’s Guest Block

-Enbound – Feel My Flame

-Temperance – Change the Rhyme

-Sunburst – Remedy of my Heart

No More Pain – Paging Mr. Spader

Edge of Reality – Moldy Banana Bread

Eric Gillette – Aftermath

Frost* – Heartstrings

Airbag – Broken

Lee Abraham – Live For Today

Pain of Salvation – Chain Sling~

Karmakanic – Steer by the Stars

Anderson/Stolt – Knowing

Dr. DTVT’s Guest Block

-Charred Walls of the Damned – As I Catch My Breath

-Hammers of Misfortune – The Precipice (Waiting for the Crash)

Thank You Scientist – Mr. Invisible

Haken – 1985

Devin Townsend Project – Stormbending

Ayreon – Mystery

Arjen Lucassen – Daydream Believer^

Avantasia – Let the Storm Descend Upon You

Serious Black – Mirror World

Fates Warning – The Light and Shade of Things

Headspace – Kill You With Kindness

Tiles – Shelter in Place

IZZ – Burn (If You Let It)

Iamthemorning – Lighthouse

Kyros – The Lamb, the Badger, and the Bee

Kansas – Refugee

Dream Theater – Our New World

Jingle.Boy’s Guest Block

-Almanac – Self-Blinded Eyes

-Cloudscape – Thunders of Extreme

-Hemina – Moonlight Bride

-InnerWish – Tame the Seven Seas

-Theocracy – Ghost Ship

Dream the Electric Sleep – Let the Light Flood In

The Fringe – You

Paul Bremner – Warm

The Neal Morse Band – The Man in the Iron Cage

Knifeworld – High/Aflame

Rikard Sjoblom – Realm of You and Me

Dynazty – The Human Paradox

Mob Rules – Somerled

Primal Fear – Angels of Mercy

Marillion – Living in F.E.A.R.

Tilt – Against the Rain

The Mute Gods – Feed the Trolls

Serenity – Follow Me

Section A – Finding the One

Fates Warning – White Flag

Band: Pain of Salvation

Album: In the Passing Light of Day

Available: January 13th, 2017 via InsideOut

Reviewer: Joe

Pain of Salvation Website

Buy on Amazon

In the Passing Light of Day: A Surprising Masterpiece in the Wake of Changed Lives

In the Passing Light of Day is quite the milestone record, being the first new Pain of Salvation album in 6 years. It’s also the first proper album with the “new band” following major lineup changes through 2011 and 2012, the first album since Daniel Gildenlow‘s recovery from a near-fatal illness in 2014, and the first album in several offerings where – at least it seems – Daniel Gildenlow is not the primary songwriter on every track. What further cements its significance is the return to the stylistic parameters nearing “progressive metal” that we haven’t heard from the band since 2004’s Be (or, some might say 2002’s Remedy Lane). And, perhaps most importantly, this album is one of Pain of Salvation‘s finest offerings.

The first several songs are some of the most energetic, frenetic, and well composed songs in the Pain of Salvation discography. The album opens with “On a Tuesday”, a 10-minute juggernaut that hardly feels as long as it is. The track seems to deal heavily with Gildenlow‘s near death experience, and while dark subject matter has often occupied space in Pain of Salvation‘s discography, this time it stings with a biting honesty and authenticity. “I close my hands, not in prayer, not in prayer, but in fists,” Gildenlow whisper-sings, just before the song erupts in anger. Overall, “On a Tuesday” is a very well-balanced composition that hits a perfect balance between driven, energetic parts, and softer, more pensive sections.

“Tongue of God” follows with the fake-out. What initially postures as a soft piano ballad i.e., Road Salt, morphs into one of the band’s most potent short anthems; something that takes the Remedy Lane sound and infuses it with the grunge, dirt, and gravel of the Road Salt albums. That formula turns out to be where the album is most effective – it’s not a rehash of Pain of Salvation‘s early days as much as it’s a natural evolution of everything the band have done before. This development continues with next track, “Meaningless”, which is another haunting rocker that manages to carry on this aesthetic despite being  a reworked version of a song from guitarist Ragnar Zolberg‘s previous band, Sign.

We get a break from what amounts to 20 minutes of grungy metal via “Silent Gold”, a piano-driven ballad that features very well-performed and emotive vocals from Gildenlow. But the calm doesn’t last long, as the energy level ramps back up with “Full Throttle Tribe”, another long epic.

Fans will immediately recognize “Full Throttle Tribes’” Remedy Lane type rhythm and feel, and the callbacks to The Perfect Element style rapping vocals. Unlike the first long song thus far, “On a Tuesday”, “Full Throttle Tribe” does overstay its welcome by a few minutes. The vocals and instrumental feel a bit disjointed, and the song lacks the glue that would otherwise help keep other songs on the album cohesive. But the chorus is solid, featuring an infectious melody and vocals layered sweetly in a way that Gildenlow pulls off so well.

Subsequently, “Reasons” kicks in with one of the heaviest riffs on the album, though it is ironically one of the album’s more progressive and theatrical tracks. Once again, we hear Gildenlow‘s rap-vocals over odd time signatures and heavy riffs, but this time more reminiscent of Be. It’s an intense track,

Another year, another retrospective. When it comes to music this year it’s easy to stew over what we lost. Iconic names like Prince, Lemmy, and David Bowie all left us over the course of the last twelve months. But, as with pretty much any year, there is much to look back fondly on, and so we reflect back on our favorites of 2016. Of all the albums heard this year only two of them made the top 10 lists of all three contributors to the program. The consensus runner up this year is Haken‘s fourth full length album, Affinity, which also spawned a wide range of individual awards. But, there can be only one album of the year, and so…

This year’s consensus choice as When Prog and Power Unite‘s album of the year is Theories of Flight from Fates Warning! This modern progressive metal masterpiece from one of the genre’s earliest applicants completely floored us, coming in at #1, #2, and #7 on our three lists. In addition the album spawned one nod to Jim Matheos for composer of the year, two nods to Ray Alder as vocalist of the year, and a nod to “The Light and Shade of Things” as epic of the year.

During the course of our the podcast you can listen as Nick explains all his picks in detail, and follow-up with an ill and congested Joe running through his top ten of the year. Additionally, if you wish to hear Mason‘s picks explained you can do so here. Be forewarned, due to some current technical limitations on his end the audio is somewhat muddy and choppy, but it’s still always good to hear his take!

A big thanks as always to everyone who tuned in during this past year, and we look forward to the new year in a big way as, on the first Wednesday of the year, January 4th,  we kick off 2017 with our year-end wrap up spectacular. This show will be extended, as always, and will run from 4pm-10pm EST. That’s 9pm-3am UTC. As always we will be playing a lot of the music discussed here, as well as so much more. If you only tune in for one show next year, that’s the one you want!

Top 10 Albums of 2016

Nick:

10. Avantasia – Ghostlights

9. Rikard Sjoblum – The Unbendable Sleep

8. Edge of Reality – Vicious Circle

7. The Neal Morse Band – The Similitude of a Dream

6. Thank You Scientist – Stranger Heads Prevail

5. Headspace – All That You Fear is Gone

4. Dream the Electric Sleep – Beneath the Dark Wide Sky

3. Big Big Train – Folklore

2. Haken – Affinity

1. Fates Warning – Theories of Flight

Mason:

10. Hammers of Misfortune – Dead Revolution

9. Karmakanic – Dot

8. Anciients – Voice In The Void

7. Evergrey – The Storm Within

6. Haken – Affinity

5. Redemption – The Art of Loss

4. Devin Townsend Project – Transcendence

3. Dream the Electric Sleep – Beneath the Dark Wide Sky

2. Fates Warning – Theories of Flight

1. Avantasia – Ghostlights

Joe:

10. Headspace – All That You Fear is Gone

9. Circus Maximus – Havoc

8. Iamthemorning – Lighthouse

7. Fates Warning – Theories of Flight

6. Anderson/Stolt – Invention of Knowledge

5. Haken – Affinity

4. Alcest – Kodama

3. Explosions in the Sky – The Wilderness

2. Devin Townsend Project – Transcendence

1. Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool

Songwriter/Composer of the Year

Nick: Jim Matheos (Fates Warning)

Mason: Matt Page (Dream The Electric Sleep)

Joe: Neige (Alcest)

Hello, is this thing on? It’s been awhile, and I apologize to any listeners who have been missing the show over the past few months. First, let me start with some good news; the best of 2016 lists and podcast should be available soon, so keep an eye out for that. In addition the year end wrap up show is scheduled for Wednesday, January 4th. The hours are yet to be determined, but as always it will exceed our usual 3 hour show, probably clocking in at 5-6 hours. It’s the one show a year I suggest people tune into more than any other, as we try best we can to cover all the great music released in 2016.

Speaking of which, one of the more recent 2016 releases was The Similitude of a Dream  from The Neal Morse Band. This is the sophomore release under that specific moniker, though it of course closely resembles a normal Neal Morse release. I really do think the more diverse songwriting does come through in the “band” setting, and it is very refreshing, especially on a two disc release to have multiple singers on the album, most notably guitarist Eric Gillette. I love Neal‘s vocals, but he has released such a large amount of music in a relatively short time that it’s always refreshing to hear other voices. This album was a grower, and it you dedicate the time to give it a few listens I have no doubt you’ll be enjoying it as much as I have. You can order yourself the album here.

Unlike a normal show, where I do try to get a somewhat thorough grasp on all the big pieces of news that have happened in the past week, I’m not going to pretend to present everything that has gone on in the last few months, and am simply going to hit on a few highlights. There are several early 2017 releases we can look forward to starting with In the Passing Light of Day from Pain of Salvation due out on January 13th. You can preorder that album here and check out the lead single below.

Next up we have a couple of live releases to talk about. Already released is A Stone’s Throw From the Line by Big Big Train, and you can grab that here. Coming out January 21st is Scrape Across the Sky from IQ, and you can see a full release about that here.  Also coming out sometime next year is the 2nd studio release from The Mute Gods, Tardigrades Will Inherit the Earth. Not much detail on that yet other than it’s expected in February.  And now in parting I leave you with a fresh Blind Guardian track, “Children of the Smith”, enjoy!

2016-12-14

Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Christmas Dreams

The Tea Club – The Magnet

Thank You Scientist – Rube Goldberg Variations

Blind Guardian – Children of the Smith

Pain of Salvation – Meaningless

The Dear Hunter – The Revival

The Neal Morse Band – Draw the Line

The Neal Morse Band – The Slough

The Neal Morse Band – Back to the City

No More Pain – Paging Mr. Spader

Jolly – Joy

Shadow Gallery – Christmas Day

Big Big Train – Wassail

IQ – The Road of Bones

Ayreon – Epilogue: The Memory Remains

Marillion – Slainte Mhath

The Mute Gods – Nightschool for Idiots

As I had suspected shows have been few and far between, but that comes with a hidden benefit of lots of exciting goodness being packed into each episode. For one, tonight’s show featured the fantastic second album from Edge of Reality, Vicious Circle. This is a release for everyone who wants all the normal guitar driven prog goodness they can handle with the extra flavors of humor and eccentricity for good measure. You can check out more of the album and buy it from bandcamp here.

Then of course there is one of the reasons there have been so few shows recently. I spent the better part of one week following Haken and Thank You Scientist through Canada and the United States, and then the better part of another week experiencing my first ProgPower USA. I talk about my trip and the festival in brief during the podcast while playing music from many of the associated bands. Check out news on next year’s festival here or simply watch the roster video for days 3 and 4 below.

And no show would be complete without lots of new music. Let’s start with a pair of more recent releases, The Storm Within from Evergrey and The Dear Hunter‘s new album Act V: Hymns With the Devil in Confessional. Scratching itches in two separate areas of the music community both albums have been very well received thus far. You can buy the Evergrey here and The Dear Hunter here.

Now we’ll move onto a pair of upcoming releases. First up is The Prelude Implicit, a new album from Kansas following the departure of Steve Walsh. You can check out the new video below and preorder the album here.

Next is a double album from The Neal Morse Band due out November 11th called The Similitude of a Dream. Mike Portnoy has gone all-in declaring this one of the absolute greatest albums in his career, and we can only hope it lives up to the hype. You can watch the first single below and preorder here.

Swinging now to the dark side of things Ghost have released a new album called Popestar, and the lead single can be seen below. You can order the full album here.

Finally, Dream Theater have released a new version of their track “Our New World” featuring vocalist Lzzy Hale. Check it out!

2016-09-21

Dream Theater – The Glass Prison

Edge of Reality – Cupcake

Evergrey – Someday

Ghost – Square Hammer

Lord – Redemption

Stream of Passion – Haunted

Spock’s Beard – Tides of Time

Thank You Scientist – The Amateur Arsonist’s Handbook

Haken – The Endless Knot

Dream Theater – Our New World feat. Lzzy Hale

Pyramaze – Disciples of the Sun

Circus Maximus – Abyss

Blind Guardian – And the Story Ends

The Neal Morse Band – Long Day/Overture

Kansas – Visability Zero

Edge of Reality – Moldy Banana Bread
...

This week we turn to the American heartland for our featured album, the third album from Dream the Electric Sleep, Beneath the Dark Wide Sky. The trio has always excelled at pounding out powerful albums with soulful groove and energy, and continue that trend with the latest album. You can buy the new album here.

Arjen Anthony Lucassen recently (re)released an album he did years ago, but is now finally taking proper credit for, Strange Hobby. It’s a collection of older psychedelic tunes for your listening pleasure. It can be gotten here.

Next up is Karmakanic who have just released their fifth album, DOT. You can check out that album’s longest track in this week’s show, and then buy the album here.

Tilt is a band we saw debut on the program a few weeks ago, and they have since released a new video from their new album Hinterland. You can check that out below and then buy it here.

2016-08-10

Evergrey – Distance

Dream the Electric Sleep – Let the Light Flood In

Arjen Anthony Lucassen – I Want You^

Thank You Scientist – A Wolf in Cheap Clothing

Karmakanic – God, the Universe, and Everything Else No One Cares About, Pt. 1

Magic Pie – According to Plan

Dream the Electric Sleep – Flight

Airbag – Returned

Tilt – Bloodline

Thank You Scientist – Cavern

Tesla – Save the Goodness

Von Hertzen Brothers – Trouble

Vanden Plas – Rainmaker

The Gentle Storm – The Greatest Love (Storm)

Blind Guardian – Into the Storm

Pyramaze – Ancient Words Within

Dream the Electric Sleep – Culling the Herd

Shadow Gallery – Pain

Riverside – Artificial Smile

Supertramp – School

Phideaux – Thank You For the Evil

Moon Safari – Mega Moon

Labyrinth – Crossroads

Dream the Electric Sleep – The Last Psalm to Silence

Dream the Electric Sleep – All Good Things