Search - Andromeda :: II=I

ASTONISHING!

Lord Chimp | Monkey World | 03/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Andromeda's debut, _Extension of the Wish_, was a great album, but this blows it way out of the water. No longer satisfied with the traditional prog metal sound (with which this group worked wonders on their debut), Andromeda has crafted a distinctive, terrific album with _II=I_ ("two is one"). Fusing audacious rhythmic technicality and a rare sense of groove with superb songwriting and performances, the results yield one heck of an album. I can't even remember when Dream Theater sounded this fresh and exciting. Oh, and Andromeda is another Swedish band (gee, there's a surprise).Johan Reinholdz is jaw-dropping, performing not just as guitarist and but bassist as well. On the band's website, it says "On...the new album, Johan has handled all bass duties with skill and excellence." That is a HUGE understatement. One listen to the staggering instrumental "Morphing into Nothing", with its brain-twisting spirals of hook-laden riffs and rhythmic interaction makes the case nicely. (A "real" bassist, Jakob Tanentsapf, has since joined the band.) He is turning 23 this summer -- that is YOUNG but already his technical ability is remarkable, and when combined with his uncanny melodic intuition he easily ranks up with the finest in prog metal. Every note he puts down on this record is gold -- from the simplest, dreamy chord of "Two is One" to the intense, scattershot guitar/bass work of "Morphing into Nothing". Also notable is the fact that _II=I_ breaks the stupid convention in prog metal that the great bass playing must go largely unheard. Replacing Lawrence Mackory from the debut is vocalist David Fremberg, whose performance on this album is wholly astonishing. Sounding nothing like Geoff Tate or James Labrie, he brings a great vocal presence to the music, gracing it with both smooth and a more aggressive sides. His range, power, and inflection are very distinctive and powerful. Although he sometimes has a soaring quality, he does *not* have any of the high-flying histrionics of a singer you might expect in this music. As for everyone else, musicianship is uniformly excellent: incredible drumming and keys (with very cool patches too).With the exception of "Morphing into Nothing", this album is not really a high-velocity prog metal rush. It generally tends to focus on jagged odd-time grooves with the musicians constructing complex rhythms. Weaving through these pockets of heavy throbs are Reinholdz's dicing guitar work and the futuristic sounds of Martin Hedin's keyboards. There are also some moments of beautiful atmosphere, like the second half of the otherwise heavy "Parasite". "Castaway" is the ballad of the album, featuring some beautiful piano soloing recalling classical works and Reinholdz's impeccable and hypnotic chord selections.This album has some of the most brilliant instrumental parts in prog metal. You'll hear songs brilliantly intertwine slow metal grooves, odd jazz harmonies, even weird dark waltzy measures. The band uses keyboards and guitars more forcefully and rhythmically (a la percussion) than melodically, which gives the album an edge of funk. The two linked songs, "Parasite" and "One In My Head", feature dark, intricate instrumental sections remind me more of Thinking Plague than someone like Symphony X or Dream Theater. There are many synths but the patches are well chosen and sound more dark than prog-like. At other times, for instance the boggling jam in "Reaching Deep Within", you'd have to think Andromeda had been inspired by the same muse Rush had when they penned "La Villa Strangiato" and "YYZ". (Maybe that is a similar thought to the one enkindled in the BW&BK reviewer who lavished such praise as "what Rush fans have been waiting for since Moving Pictures.")_II=I_ establishes Andromeda as more than just another great metal band from Sweden -- it demonstrates that they are easily one of the best and most promising. Very highly recommended."

Great prog metal album... just didn't blow my mind

R. Gorham | 04/04/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"THE BAND: David Fremberg (vocals), Johan Reinholdz (all guitars, including bass), Martin Hedin (keyboards), Thomas Lejon (drums & percussion). Origin - Sweden.



THE DISC: (2003) 9 tracks clocking in at approximately 65 minutes. Included with the disc is a 14-page booklet containing song titles/credits, song lyrics, band photos, and thank you's. All songs written by band members (Reinholdz's and Hedin's name are on 6 of the 9 music/lyric credits). This is the band's 2nd studio album. Label - Century Media Records.



COMMENTS: I thought Andromeda's debut "Extension Of The Wish" (2001) was an amazing album when it first came out. Creative, technically sound musicianship, tight & progressive. I still regard it as the band's best album. On album #2, singer Lawrence Mackory and bassist Fabian Gustavsson are gone. Enter David Fremberg on vocals, and guitarist Reinholdz taking over on bass (astonishingly well I must say). "II = I" did not hit me like I had hoped. Sure, there will be comparisons made to Dream Theater, Fates Warning, Threshold, and perhaps Symphony X... but overall the melodies just didn't jump up and grab me right away. I never had the urge to run to my prog listening friends and say "You gotta here this!" Fremberg's vocals are good, but limited. As one reviewer here said, his vocals are perhaps more apt for the theater stage - I kind of agree. The album opener is a great song (my favorite on the disc) - great guitar work (solo's and chunky rhythms) and some cool drumming/hi-hat work from Lejon. "Mirages" and "Reaching Deep Within" are decent tracks, but they would have been better suited later on the album. "Morphing Into Nothing" is an insane 7-minute monster of an instrumental jam - some wonderful playing from each member of the band - with all aspects (guitars, bass, keyboards, drums) rising to the surface. This is truly a gathering of progressive forces firing on all cylinders. The ballad "Castaway" does nothing for me (this tune is better suited on Broadway - perhaps "Les Miserables"... images of Jean Valjean singing to Fantine come to mind). "Parasite" starts out fast, then slow, then fast, then slow - a great up and down song. My 3rd favorite track here, behind "Encyclopedia" and "Morphing Into Nothing", is the album closer - "This Fragile Surface". Overall - while there's some excellent playing here, I simply think Andromeda took a tiny step to the side, or maybe even a small traipse backwards. The melodies simply were not as engaging as on their debut, and I truly believe Fremberg is a downgrade from Mackory (4 stars).

"

II = 3 stars

x_bruce | 08/07/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"While the vocals on the previous Andromeda album were somewhat workman-like, the take a bit of a dive here on "II = I."

I'm sure many will disagree and I will attempt to explain why I'm disappointed. This time out, the vocals are very specific but in a styleized mannor that kept me away from most metal music. It is almost everywhere on the album, and where it isn't, the over articulated English vox make you think of Englebert Humperdink to power metal ballads, e.g.: "Two Is One."



In fact, much of the songwriting is a catalogue of metal cliches that again, always kept me away from metal. There are moments in several songs where the vocals are nearly interruped by the voice of Thor (or various overdubs of lead vocals and guitarist, "Johan Reinholdz's" vocal stylings.



Reinholdz's role is far more developed on this album and that will determine if you enjoy it. He now plays bass, guitar and additional vocals. The drummer and keyboardist are still in the band, thankfully.



In terms of songwriting, the content of "II = I" is more metal and considerably less progressive.

I personally can't get past the various metal cliches. I'd name the bands but honestly, I didn't pay much attention when I heard the originally unappealing ideas that show up on the album.

The mix on the album is inconsistant as well. Encyclopedia, which I mostly like, has a lot of clutter in the lower mids, which is a shame as there's some great sounding synth work that gets lost.



A shining spot are the keyboards which have been given more room to work now that the riffs have been simplified.

The vocals...it will be each individual's call. Maybe people that like older metal will dig this. It's good quality singing, so I don't fault the performance. I just don't enjoy it nearly as much as on the first Andromeda album, "Extension of the Wish." I appreciate the band moving on, but unless it's at least to the level of "II = I" I won't be moving with it.



Songs I enjoyed:

Encyclopedia

Morphing Into Nothing

Castaway

Parasite



they had the kind of new sound that I found interesting and applaud the band for.



Songs that did little for me:



Mirages

Reaching Deep Within

Two Is One



although I don't mind Mirages but for the vocals, in an otherwise reasonable number.

"Reaching Deep Within" is the type of song that exemplifies what I do not enjoy about this album while "Two Is One" doesn't annoy me. It's just a bit fomulaic for my tastes and for a band of Andromeda's capability.



I hope Andromeda decides to stay more on the progressive road but can see them becoming more metal and more like an 00s' version of the 80s' hair metal that I grimace listening to.



I still think "II = I" is a reasonable album, but I would suggest "Extension of the Wish" if you want to hear Andromeda at it's best."