Spheric Universe Experience was born at the beginning of the 2000s when French progressive metal was on the rise. The band followed the steps of Dream Theater, Andromeda or Circus Maximus. Quickly enthroned as the leader of a progressive revival, they proposed a very beautiful first album "Mental Torments" where the technique highlighted superb melodies. The band continued in this vein with "Anima", then "Unreal" and "The New Eve", less well received, sometimes destabilized the fans. With time, the band has been restructured: Julien Negro (ex Anthropia, Svart Crown) has replaced Jonathan Drai, while Romain Goulon (Sadist, ex. Benighted), succeeding Christophe Briand, brings his science of groove.
"Back Home" is as much a journey back through the story told as a return to the roots of progressive metal. This revival is outlined from the first seconds of 'On Board SUE5-2469' in which the musicians excel ('The Absolution Part 1' and 'The Absolution Part 2'). The guitar builds murderous riffs ('Where We Belong'), develops technical passages ('Of The Last Plague', 'Legacy' or 'Rebirth') then combines with keyboards worthy of Jordan Rudess ('Transcending Real Life').
Some people will say that we have to deal with another Dream Theater clone. Certainly the filiation is present and seems to be assumed, certainly the vocals resembles James Labrie, but it often tends to depart from it to lean toward Ray Adler or John Arch ('Of The Last Plague'). The band thus refines his progressive metal and extend the limits of his style. Spheric Universe Experience airs its music with varied passages by adding mysterious symphonic atmospheres ('Synchronicity'), beautiful acoustic guitars ('Legacy'), melodic bass introductions ('Transcending Real Life') or cold and futuristic synthesizers ('The Absolution Part 1'). The riffs are sometimes convoluted and therefore typically progressive ('Defenders of Light') or more direct and energetic, bordering on thrash ('Of the Last Plague').
"Back Home" is a great return to the original progressive metal. The link with Dream Theater is always present, even if it fades little by little. The journey proposed in the SUE5-2469 ship during "Back Home" is in the end a real success!