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Distorted Harmony: Chain Reaction

Progressive Metal

4.5/5.0

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Unsigned / Self-release
Words: Craig Hartranft    Added: 03.07.2014

Showing the promise that everyone expected after their fine debut album Utopia, Israel's Distorted Harmony delivers Chain Reaction. It's definitely a step up and a step farther along, more into the path of pure progressive metal.

Distorted Harmony: caged.

It's not that it's cousin, progressive rock, is misplaced or forgotten, but the wall of riffage makes this album heavier, more intense. Listening to Every Time She Smiles, Children of Red or As One, thechord structure is melodic but volatile, reminding of injecting Muse with thrash crack. The bottom end is deep and thick as well, with the bass and drums pounding alongside.

Yet, as in their debut album, the heaviness is juxtaposed with segues of lightness, only this time they're lessened or subdued as within Every Time She Smiles or Hollow. In the latter, it's breifly, at the beginning, in piano, returning slightly after a tricky guitar solo. Methylene Blue is the only song where the lighter side of Distorted Harmony has the upper hand against the heaviness. The larger front part sounds sublime, something sliced from Porcupine Tree, the latter third something more brisk from a more intense Dream Theater. But Distorted Harmony is not without their mellow moments. Nothing (But the Rain), appeaing like a segue offer a rising arrangment of piano and drums. As You Go returns the band more to melodic rock, with mostly acoustic guitar supporting Misha Soukhinin's smooth vocals.

Perhaps some might label Distorted Harmony in the modern metal camp thanks to the bulky riffage. But, it's never harsh like moder metal, and stays melodic. The label might also be tossed around thanks to some harsh hardcore vocals within Children of Red, but it's momentary, and doesn't show up elsewhere. Here's hoping the band got that experimentation out of their system. Once more, Chain Reaction is a well-rounded album of progressive metal, supplying both creativity and accessibility, and therefore, entertaining. Easily recommended.

Distorted Harmony - Hollow

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Chain Reaction is a well-rounded album of progressive metal, supplying both creativity and accessibility, and therefore, entertaining. Easily recommended.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]