Search - Sphere of Souls :: From the Ashes

Stunning debut album

Murat Batmaz | Istanbul, Turkey | 05/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After releasing an incredible debut album with Sun Caged, each member started leaving the band, starting with drummer Dennis Leeflang, followed by Joost van den Broek, and then by vocalist Andre Vuurboom. After a year or so, this was followed by the departure of bassist Rob van der Loo leaving guitarist Marcel Coenen on his own. Each member left in order to go their own way, which resulted in several albums and projects, including Leeflang's work with guitar god Bumblefoot; van der Broek's joining After Forever; Rob van der Loo's releasing his accomplished solo album Characters; and vocalist Andre Vuurboom's forming his new band, Sphere of Souls.



This album has been long in the works, but finding a good label and completing the band's lineup both took time. Basically, Sphere of Souls is Andre Vuurboom's solo project as all songs except one were written by him. Joining Vuurboom is his former Sun Caged bandmate Joost van der Broek on keyboards. Joost has also mixed, recorded and produced this album successfully. On rhythm guitars, there is Rob Cerrone from Vuurboom's first band Imperium; whilst Ruud van Diepen is sitting behind the drums and ex-Autumn Equinox member Kees Harrison is on bass. Last but not least, Anand Mahangoe, noted Dutch axeman, stepped in as a full-time member after laying down his solos from his home studio. Great lineup without a doubt, but what's better is the music they've produced as a unit. Surely, From the Ashes is going to please most (if not all) Sun Caged fans, offering slabs of technicality, with god-heavy rhythms, and thunderous bass lines. However, this album is darker than anything else these guys have done before, marked with beautiful acoustic guitars and atmospheric keyboard effects.



Most of the songs are built upon a solid foundation of crunch-filled guitars and dark synth lines. Add to this the amazing vocals of Andre Vuurboom whom you've never heard like this before. Neither with Imperium nor with Sun Caged, Vuurboom never sounded so expressive and passionate, delivering the lyrics and melodies with heartfelt sincerity. Perhaps this is because he had the freedom to write the most fitting music for himself, but at any rate, this album displays his finest performance to date. At times, I am reminded of the great Ray Alder when I hear certain parts in some of the songs, such as the vocal variations on the title track, a piece complete with a killer guitar and synth interplay; or the entirely acoustic song "Loss" where Vuurboom's voice is absolutely emotive and heart-breaking. Think Fates Warning's Inside Out period where Alder would delve into mesmerizing lower register vocals, the singing on this album comes close to that. I had no idea Vuurboom was such a diverse singer. For example, on the more vocal-based track "No Salvation", he uses his very smooth, almost hypnotic clean voice; while on the super-heavy "Lies Inc." (a bit similar to the song Vuurboom sang on the Freak Neil Inc. album), his vocals range from highly processed, effect-laden passages to nearly growled aggressive type of screams that, considering the insane bass and drum syncopatation and odd-timed guitar chords, recall Meshuggah, only more controlled.



The songs are rich in dynamics, often shifting between chaotic, rapid-fire riffage and calm, soothing keyboard and acoustic sections. And on numbers like "Empty", they even weave some electronic samples into their craft, broadening the scope of their compositions. A similar approach is utilised on the multi-segmented "Beneath the Surface", littered with processed yet ultimately catchy vocal harmonies, shuddering guitar work, and a very soft, tranquil acoustic break with an angelic vocal melody draped over it. "Until Death Do Us Part" belies its melodic roots, opting for a trebly bass bottom, bone-crushing rhythmic angle, and a phenomenal lead solo by Mahangoe. This guy is an amazing player, almost as good as Marcel Coenen. His solos are very well-written and played with impressive restraint. Though all good, the lead attack on "Extinct" has got to be his most emotional work on this album, perhaps also because of the way he is followed by Joost's ethereal synth lead. By the way, kudos to the amazing and personal lyrics on "Room 6" ("The more I want to change, the more I stay the same"); strangely this, too, makes me think of Ray Alder, and I love it.



Not much more needs to be said. This is an outstanding debut, just like the Sun Caged album. Let's hope they stay intact and release their sophomore earlier than their former band (who are said to put it out some time this year). As a final note, From the Ashes is less jazzy than the Sun Caged album, but has more crunch to it that could be likened to Zero Hour and Degree Absolute's heavier songs.

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Tracklisting- From the Ashes . Sweet Sorrow . Loss . Beneath the Surface . Empty . Until Death Do Us Part . Extinct . Room 9 . No Salvation . Untruth . Lies Inc. . Room 6 . Epilogue"

Intelligent, Melodic Progressive Rock/Metal

Joel Israel | Cedar City, UT United States | 01/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Several years ago, I was taken by surprise by the debut album from an unbelievably talented new progressive metal band from the Netherlands, Sun Caged. The most impressive and notable aspects of that album were both the incredible prowess of guitarist Marcel Coenen and the clarity, range and power of vocalist Andre Vuurboom.



Although Sun Caged is still a band(which is finally due to release a follow-up to their excellent debut with the band's new lineup- visit their myspace site for details), every member except guitarist Coenen is new, with all other members migrating to other bands and projects; one of which is Sphere of Souls, fronted by erstwhile Caged vocalist Vuurboom.



Andre Vuurboom has another striking success on his hands here; he is soon to be regarded as a real rising star in the progressive scene. His operatic and compelling vocal skills are amazing. "From The Ashes" is simply one of the best, hardest hitting modern prog-rock albums I've heard in years....the music is not as busy or "shred" oriented as his former band Sun Caged or, say, Dream Theater, but is quite heavy at times, with many dynamic twists and turns and a very well-produced and modern edge. I am baffled at the lack of hype or interest in this album (although it is an obscure import, after all), and I would recommend it without hesitation to any fan of progressive rock or metal. I keep trying to straddle the line here, since it certainly isn't as in-your-face METAL as some of the bands I have heard it compared to, such as Zero Hour (although it's high quality of production is similiar) or Meshuggah (Sphere of Souls sounds absolutely nothing like Mesh) but it is certainly heavier than the most recent Dream Theater or Fates Warning, while sharing similarities with both bands. This is the rare kind of progressive metal that nearly any fan of music in general might enjoy-not just diehard shred- or tech-guitar fans. Absolutely one of the best albums I've heard in years, with stylish guitar and phenomenal vocals. Worth seeking out, for sure!"

Great Debut -- Why So Little Publicity?

Metal Chem | AL, United States | 11/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the epitome of quality melodic progressive metal. Emotive vocals are the lure. The Middle-Eastern vocal stylings on the opening track are entrancing, and the fact that Vuurboom can hold the listener's interest with a minimalist track like "Loss", which would serve as an obligatory sappy filler for lesser bands, is impressive. However, there is much more here than appealing vocals. Creative rhythms, diverse song structures, and enough crunch and intricacy are available to keep one constantly entertained. There isn't a bad track on the CD. If you're a fan of Pyramaze, Circus Maximus, or Threshold (their better tracks) this is a MUST have.



Note: despite the excellent review by Murat Batmaz, this CD certainly lacks the intensity and technicality of Meshuggah or Zero Hour, so don't get the wrong impression. Sphere of Souls doesn't offer the wall of sound and thick, dark distortion of those bands. The song structure on "From the Ashes" does resemble that of Zero Hour's work in several respects, especially in the frequent employment of rhythm guitar staccatos. However, Sphere of Souls ample use of keyboards, less gritty vocals, and lack of growling basslines offers a less intense, but no less intricate, aural experience. Sphere of Souls is more restrained (and refined?) with a heavy reliance on vocal melody and keyboard/guitar interplay.



The first 10 seconds of "Extinct" does bring Fates Warning's "Part of the Machine" to mind (one of my favorite FW tracks, by the way), but the album really doesn't "feel" like FW or Ray Alder to me (and there's certainly no Mark Zonder behind the kit). Vuurboom has a slightly higher register and better control than Alder -- but both have the rare capability to effect emotion in the listener. This album is superior to the quality Sun Caged effort, as Vuurboom's songwriting is more diverse here, even without Marcel Coenan's masterful fretwork.



Some reviewers (not on Amazon) have also mentioned Symphony X for the sake of comparison. No way! I say expand your prog metal repertoire before lumping excellent semi-technical melodic prog (Sphere of Souls) in with heavy symphonic neoclassical metal (Symphony X). These are different sub-genres for potentially different audiences. Both bands are fantastic, but not directly comparable. Listeners looking for Symphony X (demi-gods!) likely will be disappointed (or pleasantly surprised). This is also not Dream Theater. The musicians in Sphere of Souls are not as skilled or accomplished as the crew in Dream Theater, with one HUGE exception. Vuurboom is superior to DT vocalist James Labrie in every sense. The latter relies upon histrionics, occasional unintelligible slurred wailing, and breathiness to evince emotion. Vuurboom is far more convincing with a smoother, less irritating, delivery. Sometimes less is (much) more.



Bottom line? Buy it if you enjoy well produced melodic yet intricate, mid-intensity (heavier than Dream Theater or current Vanden Plas but lighter than mid-era Conception or current Zero Hour) prog metal. You won't be disappointed. Possibly the biggest surprise of 2006 and easily among the best releases of the year."