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Forgotten Suns: Innergy

Forgotten Suns: Innergy

Progressive Rock/Metal
Rating: 3.5/5.0

SPV/Progrock Records
www.forgotten-suns.com
www.myspace.com/fsuns
Added March 7, 2009
Review: Craig Hartranft

The Iberian peninsula is a hotbed of major rock and metal talent. Hailing from Portugal, the progressive act Forgotten Suns brings their third work, 'Innergy.' This is my first interaction with the band and I can honestly that I'm more than a little conflicted about Forgotten Suns.

One comment I can make without equivocation is that there is mounds of talent within this band. Musical skill and performance was not the issue for me. I struggled simply because 'Innergy' did not pull me in right away. The first two pieces came off as average prog rock, ordinary and effectively dull. By 'News' my ear perked up as I found the composition more intriguing. The tandem keyboard and guitar solos are noteworthy. Fundamentally, I think the one thing that rose above all else, and so bug me, was the substantial keyboard presence in these three songs. Generally, to this point, my experience was lopsided towards boredom and dismissiveness.

Then Forgotten Suns made a remarkable musical turn for the better with the outstanding and infinitely more accessible 'Doppelganger.' This piece was stirring only because I felt all members and instruments were well represented from beginning to end. The arrangement was still varied and complex as one would expect in prog, but measurably more dynamic and satisfying then what had proceeded. Much the same could be said for 'An Outer Body Experience' and 'Outside In.' On both I was fascinated by the clever and often fiery guitar work. However, what ultimately made these three songs work is natural beauty of creativity that progressive rock or metal allows.

I wish I could say that 'Innergy' finished as well as the middle worked. But 'Nanoworld,' though ambitious and provocative, was simply too long to bear; and, after this, I found myself dismissing 'Mind Over Matter' almost immediately because of its odd vocal arrangements and redundant delivery. Thankfully, in the last two minutes it is saved by both guitar and keyboard solos tightened by a superb bass line.

Overall, I found Forgotten Suns's 'Innergy' to offer a mixed bag of impressions. The solid accessibility and creativity in a few notable songs is undermined by the ordinary, often dull, remnants of average progressive rock in the reminder. 'Innergy' is one for true fans of the progressive rock and metal genre, a real challenge.

In Short

Overall, I found Forgotten Suns's 'Innergy' to offer a mixed bag of impressions. The solid accessibility and creativity in a few notable songs is undermined by the ordinary, often dull, remnants of average progressive rock in the reminder. 'Innergy' is one for true fans of the progressive rock and metal genre, a real challenge.

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