MIRRORMAZE / WALKABOUT (2012)

Proggressive metalers Mirrormaze are about to release, later this month, their debut album "Walkabout" through Bakerteam Records. To add the extra something to the album's final result, the band have tapped Fates Warning's legendary singer Ray Alder for a truly impressive guest appearence on the song "Deeper Signs". The band is influenced by classic acts such as Rush and proggressive giants like Fates Warning and Dream Theater.  Mixing and mastering duties are handled by Staffan Karlsson (Stevie Wonder, Roxette, Firewind) and the complete artwork was taken care by Gustavo Sazes (Manowar, Kamelot).



The opening track, "Prisoner", is a great appetizer of what's coming-up next. A heavy and technically proggressive track that take us into the Mirrormaze world. The Fates Warning influences are more than obvious but that's not a problem 'cause the result is stunning. The guitar solo is superb and the rhythm section is tight! As we go further to the next track, "Earn Your Answers", is about a more straight forward progg. rocker with very good arrangements and a nice harmony. The guitar work is, once again, amazing! "Vicious Circle" is a progggressive metal paradise, for every prog. freak out there, and a track that will be loved by every single fan of this gerne while "Lost In A Belief" is a kinda of a 'dark' and 'nostalgic' tune that reminds the 'big' Dream Theater. "Joke" features some aggressive guitars and "Deeper Signs" is the album's highlight due to the addition of the legendary Ray Alder of Fates Warning. The following three tracks are all well-crafted with nice arrangements, solid guitar work and powerfull performances!

Bottom line is that Mirrormaze with their debut achieve to make a huge impact to the proggressive metal scene! They are talented and that's a thing that reflected to their music. The influences from great bands of this gerne are perfectly mixed without loosing their own indentity. Even if I'm not a big fan of proggressive metal, I catch myself listening to this album on a daily basis. The vocal performances are powerfull and warmth, the guitar riffs and solos are superb and the musicianship is top notch. For the fans of Dream Theater, Symphony X, Rush and some Nevermore this release is A MUST HAVE!!! For the others who are into some more melodic things this is a good way to discover a cool band!
HeavyParadise's Rating : 7,5 / 10 

• track list :

 1. Prisoner
2. Earn your answers
3. Vicious Circle
4. Lost In a Belief
5. Joke
6. Deeper Signs
7. Walkabout
8. Missing
9. Broken Soul