Timescape

Two Worlds

(c)(p)1997 Nettle-Space Productions

Review by Jason Sorens

"Two Worlds" is the first full-length album from Timescape, a Swedish progressive act composed mostly of very young members. This is an independent release, as Timescape has not yet signed with any label.

The CD opens with a brief track of tribal music, then elides into a heavy Dream Theater-ish jam. This album as a whole is reminiscent of Dream Theater's "Images and Words", perhaps the most oft-emulated album in metal history. This similarity is mostly due just to the fact that Timescape forges a fusion of jazz and light metal, as Dream Theater once did. Timescape does not descend to cribbing riffs, at least.

The production values on this CD are quite good. Do not be scared away by the fact that this is an independent release, for it sounds as polished as anything on a major metal label. (Indeed, several fine bands have flourished through the independent route -- Psychotic Waltz is another example).

The melodies on this album are interesting, complex, and fresh. Any fan of light progressive metal should find something to like here. Furthermore, I enjoy the positive, creative lyrics.

I do have a few nitpicks to register, however. The rhythm guitar doesn't do much, just cropping up occasionally to produce a "heavy" sound, it seems. The lead guitar and keyboards are the main show. The songwriting, while above average, seems to be missing something. Choruses tend to trail off without satisfying conclusion. Finally, and most importantly, the lead singer occasionally sounds quite off-key. A more natural style (not an imitation of Dream Theater's Labrie) would be indicated.

I will also note that this album, though metal, is not incredibly heavy and, in fact, has many superficial "elevator music" moments.

Given these caveats, I would recommend this album to devotees of Dream Theater and recent Fates Warning.

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