Imaginary Tales

Interesting band this Maeve Of Connacht, although I find myself having trouble classifying them into one category as they seamlessly to different styles. I'm not really sure it's prog metal, but it varies quite a lot throughout the album and within the songs to classify them as such. The things that you really notice quickly : guitars and vocals. They guitars are impressive, fast, very very technical, reminding me Malmsteen but being a bit more melodic, without loosing the technical part. Although I usually prefer less notes per second, I have to admit that some solos did leave me speechless. As for the vocals, Mr. Hubi Meisel have a very warm, almost female voice. I believe he can sing really good and I like his voice but I would like him to deliver a bit more power with his vocals, they tend to get too shy (but that's maybe the production that give that effect). He never feels or try to deliver some anger and in the end the vocals are too linear throughout the album. Speaking of production, the album is definitely missing power from its production. It's not bad, but I can easily imagine what it would be with a more exploding drums part, with vocals put more in front and with a better mix between bass and guitars. The arrangements are nice and the keyboards adds a mystical atmosphere to the songs. The album is filled with guitars solos... even within the verses, riffs are replaced by solos sometimes. A band with potential that demonstrates they have a large scope of talents. If you don't mind a medium production and you're looking for good and original music, then you'd better check this band, they have imagination to sell and they might just need a more powerful sound and production. A good surprise and I'm already looking forward to listen to their next album. For people who'd like to hear something different, far from clichés.