clockwork
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| Track Listing 1. "Secrets of Centuries" - 7:09 2. "One Wing" - 5:44 3. "East of Knowing" - 3:00 4. "If These Walls Could Talk" - 5:14 5. "The Guardin' of Eden" - 7:53 6. "The Convolution Box" - 8:15 7. "Smile Under Sad Eyes" - 4:00 8. "Design of Enlightenment" - 12:46 Sensory 1999 |
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| More Releases by Clockwork: this is the first |
Related Bands (sound): Eternity X (guitars, emotional songs) Ironia (quirkiness, higher range vocals) Shadow Gallery (beautiful vocal melodies and harmonies) |
| Too many progressive metal bands these days are homogenous; that is, too many prog metal bands sound too much like each other. After a time, after so many prog metal bands are only being grown out of the Queensryche/Dream Theater/Rush garden, the term "progressive" is rendered meaningless. To make matters worse, all these so-called prog metal bands now seem to be only influencing each other. Most don't even look to other forms of rock for any insights (insights that can be found in abundance). This is inbreeding, folks. Cousins shouldn't be marrying cousins. If progressive metal was a U.S. state, it would be Arkansas. And like its cousin power metal, progressive metal is becoming one of the most limited and unimaginative forms of metal there is. So-called nu-metal bands look ingenious compared to what prog metal is becoming. Bands that truly push the envelope are more and more rare within this genre that has lost its way. Prog metal may be dying but a shot of new ideas-ideas that come from bands not normally associated with progressive metal-could infuse the entire genre with the vitality it needs to survive. Clockwork is a band that is vital, alive and kicking-at least to my ears. They don't seem devoid of good musical ideas. And though they do have many similarities to other prog bands, they seem to realize that they'll only go so far sleeping with their cousins. |
| 1.
"Secrets of Centuries" The opening is eerie and grandiose. It reminds me a bit of "Fire Blossom" by Vanden Plas (from the CD The God Thing) and maybe a bit of Eternity X's "The Edge (Introduction)", the song opening ETX's masterpiece album The Edge. When the vocals do kick in, we are treated to Douglas Gillin's incredibly beautiful voice. He sings in a higher range more than most progressive metal vocalists do. He never sounds like he is out of his natural range, though. His vocals are similar to Ironia's lead vocalist. They also remind me a bit former Extreme and Van Halen vocalist Gary Cherone, only much smoother. Make no mistake, Douglas Gillin is one of the best vocalists I've ever heard. And Gillin's vocals fit this engaging, mid-paced Dream Theater/Eternity X-type song perfectly. The vocal melodies throughout this song are exceptionally gorgeous. 2. "One Wing" Track two is much more quirky than the opening tune. Guitarist Chris Poland's post-Megadeth band Damn the Machine comes to mind. This is a fascinating and wonderfully rich and unusual song. The vocal harmonies are a treat. This is bizarre prog at its best. Good tune. 3. "East of Knowing" A Spanish guitar (or something very much like one) is the foundation of this instrumental. This is an engaging, dynamic mid-paced song. 4. "If These Walls Could Talk" I've heard very few bands over the years that sound anything like Eternity X. And though I appreciate Clockwork's originality and efforts in sounding uniquely like Clockwork, they do a lot of things that remind me of Eternity X. Clockwork's ability to sound dramatic without sounding overemotional make comparisons to Eternity X easy. Though their vocals and vocal melodies are more reminiscent of bands like Yes, Ironia, Shadow Gallery and Vanden Plas, intentional or not, there are still strong Eternity X similarities present. 5. "The Guardin' of Eden" This is another very weird song. I don't know how to describe it except to say it is all over the place musically. Out of control at times, the song is still interesting and the second half of the song is amazingly beautiful as it slows down a bit. It picks up and becomes weird again toward the end. Not my favorite on the disc, "Guardin' of Eden" still has its moments. 6. "The Convolution Box" This is a wild instrumental as the band moves all over the place musically. The music comes off a bit too chaotic the whole way through. Don't get the impression I'm anti-instrumental because I'm not. This song is just to over-the-top for my tastes. 7. "Smile Under Sad Eyes" This is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. The vocal melodies are stunning. Only Shadow Gallery comes up with vocal melodies more breathtaking. The song soars on the strength of vocalist Douglas Gillin. Great song! 8. "Design of Enlightenment" Here we have a song that never seems to pull it together musically. Too many musical ideas make this track come off as messy. I'd try and describe it, but it moves around too much. No description would be adequate. The length of the tune (it's a long one) makes it even more difficult to digest. |
Clockwork are comprised of
excellent musicians that know how to write good songs and give great performances.
Unfortunately, I think they try and jam too many ideas into some songs. Many of the songs
on this CD would have been better served had not so many musical ideas been competing for
space and-dare I say-had those same songs been shorter. In fact, Clockwork is, in many
ways, the opposite of other prog bands today: Clockwork has too many good ideas! Still,
they've put together a darn, good CD here. "Secrets of Centuries", "One
Wing", "If These Wall Could Talk" and "Smile Under Sad Eyes" are
not just good songs, they are fantastic songs. Douglas Gillin is a gifted singer with
range and emotion. Chris Pignatelli and M. Thomas Gammarino are outstanding guitarists,
together they remind me of former Eternity X and current Exhibition guitarist Jeff
Shernov. Chris Pignone (bass) and Anthony Sciamanna (drums & percussion) provide a
solid rhythm section. Vocalist Gillin and guitarist Pignatelli split keyboard duties and
do a great job-together they give us some very atmospheric and fanciful moments on the
keys. This band really plays well together. Perhaps more focus and tighter songs (like
tracks 1, 2, 4 & 7) would serve the band well in the future. Don't get me wrong, I
really do appreciate Clockwork's seemingly limitless musical ideas. Clockwork doesn't seem
bound by typical prog metal conventions. And even with tracks that left me wanting,
Clockwork has still put together one helluva debut. This is a solid prog metal disc. Do I
look forward to future releases? Very much so. But Clockwork, don't spend too much time
with your cousins. Ratings and Wrap Up: |
