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"Advent Horizon's third album is a fine display of progressive rock. "A Cell To Call Home" is a fine end-of-year gift."
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4/5
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It took Advent Horizon eight years to produce a successor to 'Stage Hound', and three years of work to create their latest offering, 'A Cell to Call Home'. A concept album on the theme of love, dependency and loss, mastered by Jens Borgen (Opeth, Haken, Leprous...), it marks a change of direction. Up until now the Americans had favoured a rather sharp progressive sound affiliated to Rush or, more distantly, Led Zeppelin, but here they take a more symphonic turn, with a stronger presence of keyboards.
And this album is clearly one of the year's pleasant surprises: while a few tracks ('Rain on Open Water', 'Your Flaws') remain rather mainstream, the opus as a whole has a very pleasant progressive feel, with a number of well assimilated influences. There's some Haken in the opening track, 'Calling it of' ventures into the realms of Dream Theater (with Jordan Rudess on keyboards) or Arena's 'Pepper's Ghost', 'Maybe' is briefly reminiscent of Kansas' 'Dust in the Wind', and 'Truth' isn't so far from Saga in its use of guitars.
The melodic aspect is constantly present ('Hold Me', ideally placed at the end of the album like a good dessert after a pleasant meal), resulting in some very accessible tracks, creating a nice variety. Advent Horizon even indulge in a nod to indus on the heavy 'Control', with an eerie sax solo that shows another side of the band. The highlight of the album is undeniably the title track, which at 10 minutes offers a typically progressive structure with a remarkable guitar solo.
Rylee McDonald delivers a more than creditable performance on vocals, showing a fine vocal range and flawless interpretation, while her long-time bandmate Mike Lofgreen delivers impeccable dynamics behind the drums (with a rather complex use of the double pedal, for fans). There's variety even in the vocals, with Kristen McDonald adding a touch of her own ('Truth', 'Your Flaws').
A fine end-of-year gift from Advent Horizon, 'A Cell to Call Home' is a flawless album, well thought out and well produced. Even if it doesn't revolutionise the world of progressive music, it would be a shame to miss out. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Water - 5:02
02. Snow Child - - 1:09
03. How Did It Get So Good? - 7:14
04. Rain On Open Water - 4:43
05. Your Flaws - 3:48
06. Truth - 5:53
07. Calling It Off - 5:45
08. Control - 5:34
09. Maybe - 3:47
10. Cell To Call Home - 10:14
 11. Hold Me - 6:19
LINEUP:
Cason Wood: Basse / Claviers / Trombone
Grant Matheson: Chant / Guitares / Claviers
Kris Kartman: Guitares / Basse
Mike Lofgreen: Batterie / Percussions
Rylee Mcdonald: Chant / Guitares / Claviers
Dave Meros: Basse / Invité
Hayden Payne: Invité / Saxophone
Jared Roswell Hill: Invité / Piano
Jordan Rudess: Claviers / Invité
Justin May: Chant / Guitares / Invité
Kristen Mcdonald: Chant / Invité
Randy Mcstine: Guitares / Invité
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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Top of the page
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(1) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
4/5 (3 view(s))
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STAFF:
4/5 (2 view(s))
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OTHER REVIEWS
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