Music: Progressive Metal
Country: Italy
Web site: www.pathosray.com
Cool Songs: Scent of Snow, Lines to Follow, Faded Crystals
Italys PATHOSRAY took five years to find a label and release a full-length recording. Evidently, the group spent these five years honing their talents because their self-titled debut on Sensory Records shows much promise. The group exhibits strong hooks, tight musicianship, elaborate arrangements, and technical prowess. Their style falls somewhere between NEVERMORE and DREAM THEATER.
The NEVERMORE influence is more subtle than the DREAM THEATER. The similarities are most apparent in the guitar tuning and tightness of the music. The drums, bass and guitar work cohesively with a heavy charge. Faded Crystals begins with light piano keys that continue into the vocal break. Before the vocals step in, bass, guitar and drums beat and pound together in unison.
This technique continues into the next track, Lines to Follow, but the bass guitar and kick drums follow discordant guitar harmonics. An old school, speedy lick transitions the pace smoothly and keeps their sound dynamic. Fabio D'Amores bass playing is a shining aspect of this release. He places his bass up front in the mix, underlining his skills during polyrhythmic jams or endowing the music with a large sound during lighter moments and instrumental breaks.
PATHOSRAY displays a more obvious DREAM THEATER influence. Gianpaolo Rinaldi uses many of the same keyboard settings as Jordan Rudess. Whether utilizing the traditional, seventies style prog keys, ala THE WHO, on The Sad Game and Faded Crystal or taking the lead during sharply angled turns, Gianpaolo appears a prodigy of Rudess. DAmores vocal register and tone bares a strong resemblance to James LaBrie. The groups greatest likeness to DREAM THEATER comes in their progressive arrangements. They understand how to piece together various tempos, moods, solos and long jam sessions without sounding choppy.
PATHOSRAYs shows a great deal of potential with their first release. They prove they have all the tools to become a prominent force in the progressive metal field. Each musician excels at his craft, and proves it during solos and mystifying time signatures. However, they dont forsaken their heaviness and vocal hooks, a mistake too many bands of this genre commit. Fans of NEVERMORE and DREAM THEATER take notice.
note: 7.5/10
Tracklist
1. Free of Doubt
2. Faded Crystals
3. Lines To Follow
4. Scent Of Snow
5. Sorrow Never Dies
6. The Sad Game
7. In Salicis Umbra
8. Strange Kind Of Energy
9. Emerald City
Total playing time 52:40
Line-up
Marco Sandron – Vocals
Luca Luison – Guitars
Fabio D'Amore – Bass/Backing Vocals
Ivan Moni Bidin – Drums
Gianpaolo Rinaldi – Keyboards