Concept - The Divine Cage
Underground Symphony

file under heavy / power metal

Patrick: Italians and power metal or progressive metal … it is just like a pile of freshly placed dog shit in the middle of the sidewalk, just like a cop with a laser gun well hidden behind an overpass … it is almost impossible to elude! Of course this combination have brought forth quite some nice things (Rhapsody, Thy Majestie), but every once in a while I wonder if, besides Pavarotti, Bocelli and their buddies, power metal is the only thing which is, musically, coming from the country of spaghetti bolognese.

Although Concept’s ‘The Divine Cage’ certainly is not a bad release, it sure is yet another power metal cd on which one should not expect innovating songs. They seem to have been listening to bands as Symphony X, Angra and Dream Theater very well. The progressive elements are present in such a large extent, that most of the songs tend more to progressive than to power metal. Musically it all is well performed; bombastic melodies, breaks, keyboards who try to put down a cosy entourage. Nothing wrong with it, but still I miss something. Most of the compositions are for the greater part not that stirring, they lack just that little bit of aggression to make them interesting and happen to be forcible; some of the changes in tempo are that swiftly (‘My Cage’ and ‘Out Of Fashion’) that it seems as if a change in tempo had to be placed in the music without knowing how to do this in a yielding, unaffected way. Next to it the vocalist does not appeal to me; his frail, high-pitched voice becomes annoying at a certain point. I know, that is something which has to do with personal taste, so do not let this be an argument for you not to listen to or buy this cd.

Although there is nothing inventive and original on ‘The Divine Cage’, it sure is a cd which will find its’ listeners. Are you looking for catchy songs which are a mixture of power and progressive metal, then ‘The Divine Cage’ sure is a nice cd for you. Or to speak in Italian terms: if a plain spaghetti Bolognese is sufficient enough for you, this cd is a good bite for you. But when you expect something more, you will have to look a bit further on the power metal menu card and put this dish aside.

Rating: 70/100 (details)

http://www.conceptsymphony.com