COMPASS: Our Time On Earth (PROGRESSIVE METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

While he makes albums of his eponymous band every two years and his participations in different projects are countless, Steve Newman succeeds again in setting up a new band, this time to work in the field of progressive music. With Compass, the Briton surrounded himself with the faithful bassist Dave Bartlett, who accompanies him on stage with Newman, and two newcomers on the circuit: singer Ben Green and drummer Toni Lakush. What to expect when a hard melodic and AOR specialist gets into progressive metal? We will try to enlighten you on this point, but what is certain is that this "Our Time On Earth" will certainly not tarnish the reputation of the one who this time confines himself to the guitar and keyboards.

Indeed, from this first opus, Compass already imposes a sound and a strong identity. Of course, the kinship with Newman is obvious and can be found in many melodic lines and in the production made by the master of the house. But if the quartet announces Dream Theater, Rush, It Bites or Pink Floyd among its influences, the Norwegians of Pagan's Mind come quickly to mind, especially with the use of very aerial or even spatial keyboard lines ('Our Time On Earth Pt.1'). As for Threshold's compatriots, they are not far away either, especially the magnificent period from "Hypothetical" (2001) to "Subsurface" (2004). And for those who would doubt that a hard melodic hard rock band is capable of composing progressive metal that holds its own, just listen to 'Skies Of Fire'. The variation of themes, catchy chorus, luminous solos, jazzy breaks and bewitching melodic lines: everything is there to mark the territory of the British.

The sequel does not lower in intensity with the first part of the captivating eponymous title for more than nine minutes, alternating air passages and classy metallic riffs. Later, 'The Preacher And The Pigeon Feeder' and 'A Warning From History' confirm Compass's talent for juggling light and shadow by hypnotizing the audience over a relatively long period of time. The first is more narrative, alternating themes but always returning to the same chorus line. The second is also bewitching for more than ten minutes, switching between warning and hope and between melodic flights of fancy and technical passages. As far as technique is concerned, the musicians succeed in the feat of performing a real demonstration without being... demonstrative. Steve Newman proves here what a talented guitarist he is, while we discover with Toni Lakush a breathtaking drummer.

Completed by some more direct tracks that don't confuse efficiency and simplicity ('Caught In A Frame', 'Neon', Another Life Suicide'), "Our Time On Earth" proves to be exciting from start to finish and will delight both hard melodic and progressive metal fans by marrying all the qualities of these two styles. - Official website

COMPASS

OUR TIME ON EARTH

ESCAPE MUSIC

PROGRESSIVE METAL