Search Music Review Archives

0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Review Archives

1 | 2 | 3

Music Links:
Missing Piece
Metal-Nose
Prog-Nose
Dutch Progressive
ProgressiveWorld
Proggnois
Proglands
Prog Archives
Musea Music
Syn-phonic Mail Order
Laser's Edge
Metal- Nose
Kinesis
Prog - 4 - You
Prog Pulsion
Spanish Prog Page--PRPM
Prog-Resiste
Giant Progweed
Garden Shed
Hairless Heart
Sonic Cathedral
Arlequins
Prog Rock Ring
Sea Of Tranquility
Rock Report
AOR Dream Zone
ProgNaut
ProgressiveEars
GhostLand
Ladies Of Metal
ZNR Records
Progressor
Gnosis
Other Links
Bathtub of Adventures
Dragon's Links
Unger's Prog World
German Web Ring
Prog.Web
Axiom Of Choice
New Horizons
G.E.P.R.
Colossus
Progressive Magazine
Progressive Newsletter
E-Prog
Zoltan's Progressive
Prog Radio. Net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Progland was founded by John Gabbard in 2005. It's purpose has been to provide you, the music community with the latest music and dvd reviews. It will continue to be your link to the most popular music reviews in the progressive world.

 

Xsavior - "Caleidoscope "

Label - Atenzia Records
Reviewed by: Kevin Cloe
Genre: Prog Metal
Country: Sweden
Language: English
Length: 64:50
Release Date: Jun 29, 2005
Label:
Atenzia Records
Band Members: Goran Edman - Lead Vocals Matt Norberg - Keyboards
  Daniel Flores - Drums Benny Janson - Guitars
  Mathias Garnas - Bass
 
Track Listing: 1.)- April Skies 8.)-Green Mile
  2.)- Lex The Fly 9.)- Cosmic Virus
  3.)- Mr. Chairman 10.)-Material World
  4.)-Take Me Home 11.)-A Snake In Paradise
  5.)- In Memorial Of. (Taj Mahal, Part I) 12.)-Xsavior
  6.)-By The Golden River (Taj Mahal, Part II)  
  7.)-Waves Of The Sea (Taj Mahal, Part III)
     
The Review

How did I miss this one? I must be slipping - this one has been out since late 2005 and I only recently heard of it. Apparently, Xsavior is a supergroup of sorts formed by members of 3 other bands: Mind's Eye, Novak and Tears Of Anger. These guys sound nothing like any of those bands, however. Xsavior is a symphonic band that draws more than a little inspiration from countrymates A.C.T. (another fantastic band) For those unfamiliar with the sound - think a hugely vocal oriented Queen-fest with much more complicated structures that still retain melody. Add to that some Pain of Salvation-ish quirkiness and perhaps some Spock's Beard or Flower Kings flavors and you have an attempt to describe the sound here. The keys are aplenty and vary from moog sounds to piano, e piano, and strings. The moog sound is laser-beam in nature and Matt Norberg has obviously done his homework when it comes to quick keystrokes. The guitars are complicated - no simple chords being played here.

They also will complement the moog solos with great effect. Special mention for the bass, which also stands out on repeated listening. This is a VERY varied album, each song can convey a different mood. The album is made especially interesting by the main attraction - vocal harmonies. Did I mention Queen? BIG vocal parts that harmonize wonderfully and evolve in unexpected directions. The quirky factor is upped here compared to A.C.T. - so much so that the singer sometimes takes on different personas (with good effect, actually). This is good quirky - not bad. (i.e. - melody remains intact and it is very technical) I think Goran Edman's vocals are great - but I slightly prefer A.C.T.'S singer - as his range is a bit better in the high areas. One minor complaint - why use vocal effects? They occasionally pop up - and I hate them. Especially the "megaphone" voice effect so many bands use. (Hey you! Yes you - stand still laddy!) Does anyone actually like that? I don't ever find myself listening to a song and thinking "Man - this is great - but only if he was singing through a distorted electric megaphone. That would be so much better." Anyway - Xsavior also can get heavier than A.C.T. - bringing out some Pain of Salvation sounding moments. You almost get the feeling they are a prog metal band in disguise on occasion - but I think the "prog rock" tag fits them better.

I have to say this is very different from most prog coming out lately - and I am hugely impressed. I hope we see more from these guys - but I am a bit concerned as they have apparently had some personnel shifts, according to the web site. We'll have to see.

Rating: 4 stars

 

Release Dates

Daily Update News/Preview
Progressive Rock
AOR & Hard Rock
Progressive Metal
Flower Kings-Paradox Hotel-Jason's Review
Flower Kings-Paradox Hotel-Eric's Review
Flower Kings-Paradox Hotel-Angela's Review
David Gilmour-On An Island
Dead Soul Tribe-The Dead Word
Tangent-A Place In The Queue- Jason B.
Jadis-Photoplay-Jason B.
"3"- Wake Pig
Jadis-Photoplay
Shadow Gallery-Room-V
Rush-(R-30) -DVD
Izz-My River Flows
Soft Machine-Floating World-Live
Yes-Tsongas-DVD
Steve Walsh-Shadowman
Neal Morse-One
James LaBrie-Elements Of Persuasion
Canvas Solaris-Penumbra Diffuse
RPWL-World Through My Eyes-Jason's Review
It Bites-Live In London
Spock's Beard-Gluttons For Punishment-Live
Arena-Pepper's Ghost
Magenta-Seven
Pallas-River-2-Live
Kaipa-Mindrevolutions
Dream Theater-Budokan-Live-DVD
David Gilmour-On An Island-Andy's Review
RPWL-World Through My Eyes
ELP-Beyond The Beginning-DVD
Steve Howe-Spectrum
Fish-Bouillabaisse- Perception Of Fish
Blackmore's Night-Castle & Dreams-Dvd
Peter Gabriel-Still Growing Up-DVD
Peter Gabriel-Play-DVD
Camel-Coming Of Age-DVD
Genesis-Way We Walk -Live-DVD
Who-Quadrophenia-DVD
Magellan-Symphony For A Misanthrope
Tomas Bodin-I AM
Flower Kings-Adam & Eve
Jim Gilmour-Great Escape
Kino-Cutting Room Floor
Nick Magnus-Hexameron
A Place In The Queue-Gordon Review
Roine Stolt-Wall St. Voodoo-Russ's Review
Pallas-Dreams Of Men-2 Disc
IQ-Live In London-Dvd "85"
Pallas-Live In London-Dvd-"85"
Karnataka-Delicate Flame Of Desire
K2-Book Of The Dead
Proto-Kaw-The Wait Of Glory
Pendragon-Believe
Neal Morse-?
Red Sand-Gentry
Van Der Graaf Generator-Present
Roine Stolt-Wall St. Voodoo-Brent's Review
Roine Stolt-Wall St. Voodoo- ordon's -Review
Quidam-surREvival
Kaipa-Keyholder
Kino-Picture
Tangent-A Place In The Queue-Wayne
Riverside-Second Life Syndrome
Magrathea-Legends
Pendragon-Live & Last-DVD
Frameshift-An Absence Of Empathy
John Hackett-Checking Out Of London
Circus Maximus-The 1st Chapter
Geoff Downes-Shadows & Reflections
Wetton/Downes-Icon
Saga-Network
Syn-Syndestructible
Jon Anderson-Tour Of The Universe
Porcupine Tree-Deadwing
The Watch-Vacuum
Dream Theater-Train Of Thought
Magellan- Impossible Figures
Ayreon-Human Equation
Flower Kings-Adam & Eve
Vinyl Kings-A Little Trip
Asia-Silent Nation
Yes-House Of Yes-House Of Blues-Cd
Marillion-Anoraknophopia
Big Elf-Hex
John Wetton-Rock Of Faith
John Wetton-Underworld
Martin Orford-Classical Music
Grand Stand-Tricks of Time
Rush-Vapor Trails
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Copyright @ Teakwood Productions 2000