Highlight Kenosis - Change
CD Info
2012
Ravenheart Music / UK
8 Tracks
English Lyrics
Originally, Highlight Kenosis was from Romanian, from Bucharest to be specific. They’ve since moved to Germany, I guess things are better there musically, or socially, or whatever, maybe less vampires. But, the sound is pretty much contemporary European Progressive Metal, or close enough to qualify. The band seems to have changed some members following their move. A keyboard member is now in absentia. Which means we provide a significant part of the sound through other means, something I was unable to clarify beyond a one line statement suggesting that "Music composed and orchestrated by Matei Damian-Ulmu" who also serves as the band’s principle guitarist. Oh well, these days you can provide an entire orchestra through computer generated electronics, complete with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin doing background harmony straight from the grave. Now, if only we could put the Beiber in a similar local. Well, that was probably uncalled for but it’s early and I’ve yet to encounter my first evening cocktail.
The Highlight Kenosis sound doesn’t seem to have drifted far from its Romanian roots with this release, which, by the way, is its second major release. The band continues with some pretty serious "orchestrations" and a heavy handed axe, but the material seems to be driven by that Progressive sound, which may be a little different from what Americans call Progressive, if for no other reason than the inclusion of those "orchestrations". The vocals are provided by Oana Maria-Stoica and she has a singularly interesting vocal style. Certainly not classical, not close to operatic, but not exactly metal either. However, it seems to mesh with the background instrumentals, whether they’re heavily symphonic oriented or more aimed at the metal side of the isle. Of course, on any number of tracks, you get both as the band moves from one direction to the next. You see them compared to several of the bigger name Progressive acts in Europe, certainly TO-MERA who perform a similar style of music. Others have mentioned Dream Theatre, which seems to be the standard for this style of music these days as well as acts like Krypteria and Symphony X, of course, with a different vocal style from the later, but you can see the similarities in the musical structures. And those structures can become a little complex at times, especially on tracks like Free From Agony where the Dream Theatre comparisons appear regularly, especially in terms of the offbeat rhythms displayed by the guitars and the complex interplay of the vocals and the instruments. There’s almost a little jazz fusion to it on occasion. Nice structure to some very strong vocal and instrumental work, and the arrangements and the production work, done in Sweden, make sure it comes through as intended.
If there’s a negative to be found, it’s the lack of playing time. There are 8 tracks, but some of them are less than 3 minutes with the longest being 5.5. This is not an inexpensive release and a little more material might be expected. However, what you get is sterling stuff, no fillers, just across the board solid music. And, although there is a level of consistency to the style, there is variance in the model, we cover several sub sets of the progressive theme and we do it with both vocal and instrumental excellence. Lyrically, this doesn’t really go to the dark depths of the Gothic sound, not that there aren’t some interesting topics and presentations. You just don’t get that walk to the grave with side excursions to locations where the damned exhibit residence. But, that’s Progressive, even in Romania, land of the vampire and other fine examples of what frightens us most in life.
The CD has a somewhat interesting first track. Keep in mind, this is, at least it’s my impression, a band that is first and foremost, a live act. They seem to have been constructed that way, they clearly do a lot of shows, you’ll see videos that substantiate that as we move forward. Our vocalist, especially, provides an interesting stage presence and clearly, this is a large part of the live act. But, that introductory track, Ouverture in D Minor, and no, that isn’t a spelling error, is clearly aimed at something relatively different, especially for a Progressive act. In the Gothic arena, we’re almost expecting a classical introduction; it’s a staple of the genre. Here, we begin with something that sounds like a PR statement from Public Broadcasting, "Because children need to feel safe, because she needs hope. . ." The sound moves forward over a symphonic background, some guitars and drums, but ethereal, as is the case with much of the Gothic. But then, there’s a crash of thunder and we move to an even more symphonic sound in the second half of the track.
Well, all of this ends with the second track There is No Secret, which introduces that Progressive sound. We get both a male and female vocal here, the male not exactly a death vocal but probably in that direction, I guess that doesn’t exactly cancel out that Progressive thing. The guitars, on the other hand, make sure we realize that this is metal of some kind. There’s also that symphonic component coming from somewhere and it does a fair job of providing that "Progressive Plus" interpretation that seems to define this music. The following track, Change the World provides an even more solid interpretation of the band’s sound. I think this is the one that gave the CD its name, I’ve even seen this as the name, gets a little confusing, course, I’ve been drinking. Lyrically, we get a pretty good example of the message here. Again, not exactly at the depths of the Gothic message ladder but interesting in other ways:
Thought that you’re too smart, but you see you’re not
Thought the world is cool and now you don’t understand
You don’t find your place and you’re looking around / Open your eyes
If you scream for hate you will get it for sure
If you ask for love, only love you will get
It’s only up to you to choose the one that is good – I’m telling you this
The band can clearly slow it down when appropriate. Outro (With Angels) provides another capability the band has demonstrated over the years. Recognize that this video is from a TV show and will carry on with a number of songs the band has done over the years, but, it’s a pretty good video to capture the band’s sound. Not all the songs are from this CD and, clearly, this is from the days when the keyboard guy was a serious part of the band.
The more typical material on this CD is a bit harder Progressive. You get it on tracks like Loving a Ghost. Again, this is limited club based video, but, it gives you some indication of what the band is about. The CD material is of much higher quality, believe me. But, this is a "live performance" band so, assuming your travel plans include trips to Eastern or Western Europe, you might get to see something more closely associated with what we get in these videos.
We don’t often associate the term "Progressive Metal" with Eastern Europe. But, clearly, there is some of it to be found there. Of course, today, the band is located in Western Europe where there is a more solid interest in that format. But, with their touring schedule, they’re going to be moving around in both parts of the region. So, don’t be surprised to hear more of this style of music from the East. And, hopefully, a little bit more with the next release.
9 / 10
