Dangerdog Music Reviews :: © 1999 - 2024 Craig S Hartranft :: All Rights Reserved
No part of this this website, including design and music reviews,
may be reproduced in any form or by any means without
the prior written permission of the publisher.
- New Music Reviews
- |
- Archives
- |
- News
- |
- Submissions
- |
- About
- |
- |
New Music Reviews, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal, AOR, Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal
Recent Reviews
April 2024
- Vanden Plas: The Empyrean Equation Of The Long Lost Things
- Praying Mantis: Defiance
- King Zebra: Between The Shadows
- About Us: Take A Piece
- Blue Oyster Cult: Ghost Stories
March 2024
- Cruzh: The Jungle Revolution
- Whom Gods Destroy: Insanium
- The Prog Collective: Dark Encounters
- Lords Of Black: Mechanics Of Predacity
- Lipz: Changing The Melody
- The End Machine: The Quantum Phase
- Stargate: Escaping The Illusion
- Turbulence: Binary Dream
- Sonata Arctica: Clear Cold Beyond
- D'Luna: Monster
- Big Big Train: The Likes Of Us
- Benjamin Croft: We Are Here To Help
February 2024
- Traveler: Prequel To Madness
- Lionheart: The Grace Of A Dragonfly
- Honeymoon Suite: Alive
- Durbin: Screaming Steel
- Smoking Snakes: Danger Zone
- Revolution Saints: Against The Winds
- Striker: Ultrapower
- Show N Tell: The Ritual Has Begun
- Robert Hart: Circus Life
January 2024
- Corvus: Immortals
- Caligula's Horse: Charcoal Grace
- Grand: Second To None
- Neal Morse: The Restoration - Joseph - Part Two
- The Rods: Rattle The Cage
- Gotus: Gotus
- Metalite: Expedition One
- Cobrakill: Serpent's Kiss
- Jack Russell & Tracii Guns: Medusa
- Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 1
- The Grandmaster: Black Sun
Lava Engine: In Limbo (EP)
Lava Engine: In Limbo (EP)
Progressive Rock/Metal
3.5/5.0
Liljegren Records
Website
Facebook
MySpace
by Craig Hartranft, 02.21.2011
I'm not sure Sweden's Lava Engine is as clever as they think they are or as the reviewers say they are. With their second EP In Limbo, Lava Engine (and their PR materials) suggest an affiliation with a profound company of artists including Porcupine Tree, Muse, Dream Theater, Opeth, Riverside, and Paradise Lost. (Oh yeah, there's some suggestion of emo here; I hate emo.) I'm not sure I'm willing to extend them that kinship.
Certainly, musicianship is not an issue here: this band is quite good. Yet, excepting the attractive and accessible Common Ground and the closing portions of Windows Closed, In Limbo is a dark and heavy piece of, sometimes, remarkable but predictable modern rock.
The funny thing is this: I liked it. While not necessarily the most inventive thing, I was struck by the layers of Muse-like atmosphere and Ronnie Jaldemark's interesting guitar work. Lava Engine's In Limbo is worthy of your attention and, possibly, a purchased download. Between their superb musicianship and modern context, I believe Lava Engine has a promising future.
Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.
In Short
Lava Engine's In Limbo is worthy of your attention and, possibly, a purchased download. Between their superb musicianship and modern context, I believe Lava Engine has a promising future.
Find A Review
Alphabetical Index
New & Notable
Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]