MOTHER OF MILLIONS: Sigma (PROGRESSIVE METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

We had left the Greeks of Mother Of Millions on an encouraging "Human" in 2014 and here they come back to us with this "Sigma" this fall. Their progressive metal tinged with folk/world had thrilled the editors of Music Waves to the point of making them a contender for the Top album of the year. What about this second offering?

'Emerge' sets the scene beautifully with an intriguing spoken word intro followed by a long, post rock build up that serves as a springboard for 'Shine'. One of the key tracks of the album starts with a jerky riff with a catchy groove before the rhythm calms down to give way to George Prokopiou's voice, first soft and expressive, reminding of the Polish neo progressive school, then rising in power until some striking screams. The sequence with 'Silence' is almost imperceptible so much the two titles display similar structures making both the beautiful part to the impressive vocalizations, to the devastating riffs and to the intelligent rhythmic variations. As for 'Rome', it propels the Greeks to the level of bands like Leprous or Karnivool to which the title reminds us of by an ultra effective jerky riff and a very catchy expressive vocal.

Everything has improved since "Human". Mother Of Millions has been able to analyze its weaknesses and correct them, like the production which is now crystal clear, detaching each sound of each instrument with millimetric precision, so that you can discover new subtle arrangements or elaborate rhythms with each listen. Another notable improvement is George Prokopiou's vocals, which has undergone a metamorphosis and is now of exemplary accuracy, capable of an impressive range of emotions in all registers.

It will be so throughout the exercise punctuated with brilliant instrumental passages, limpid breaks and, especially, with moments of great emotion such as the hypnotic final of 'Silence', or 'Their Passage, Their Light' which brings an Eastern touch with its percussions and traditional instruments and intoxicating violins. 'Collision', carried once again by the magnificent voice of George Prokopiou, evokes the atmospheric intensity of Tesseract and the bewitching power of O.S.I. If the final of 'Spiral' takes again the crystalline guitars of the modern post rock, 'Sigma' closes the album in a flood of emotions on a melancholic piano-voice and the resumption of the theme by poignant choirs.

Only 42 minutes long, "Sigma" is incredibly rich in writing and interpretation and marks the blossoming of a young band capable of evolving in the big league. Dark and luminous at the same time, the album triggers an instant pleasure and reveals all its subtleties during the listening that we promise you will be numerous. - Official website

MOTHER OF MILLIONS

SIGMA

VICISOLUM PRODUCTIONS

PROGRESSIVE METAL