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Third Eye: Third Eye

Melodic/Progressive Metal

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Escape Music
www.escape-music.com
Review: Craig Hartranft,  05.17.2010

Begun in 2003, Third Eye is an new band centered around vocalist Per Johansson (Crystal Knight, Fate) and guitarist Michael Bodin (Prophet's Doom), and now signed to England's Escape Music. This self-titled debut is strongly progressive melodic heavy metal. However, a single spin, even a listen to the first two songs, proves that centerpiece here is the versatile vocal skills of Mr. Johannson. Depending on your listening ear and viewpoint, his vocal pyrotechnics can be a brilliant or subversive element in the total scheme. Johannson brings classic melodic heavy metal vocals throughout, but also a pseudo-Halford screeching at times, some dirty vocals best described as 'growl-speak' and, generally, some modern metal overtones. Frankly, from one song to the next, you don't know which Johannson will arise; maybe he doesn't know either. Nevertheless, if you're patient and reflective, the vocals are quite compelling.

This not to say that Bodin (nor the rest of the band) is absent from this recording. When Bodin is released his fret work is quite stunning. These elements, in combination with the progressive depth of the compositions, make Third Eye's debut intriguing and a band to watch in the future. Listen for Solitary Confinement, Recipe for Disaster, and Darkness into Dawn. You can pass over the rather droll quasi-ballad Six Feet Under. The final and longest track, The Psychiatrist, shows the band at their most diverse and creative. Overall, Third Eye's debut work of clever, and sometimes eclectic, heavy melodic progressive metal is a solid start, even with Per Johansson's weighty and provocative vocal performance. Recommended!

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Overall, Third Eye's debut work of clever, and sometimes eclectic, heavy progressive metal is a solid start, even with Per Johansson's weighty and provocative vocal performance. Recommended!

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Three decades on and still going strong is the iconic progressive rock band, The Flower Kings, founded by veteran multi-instrumentalist and composer Roine Stolt. Since 1994, The Flower Kings have been known ... [ Read More ]