Sieges Even
Paramount

How many bands seem unknown to us, we've never even heard their names... then we come into contact with them and discover they have years of career behind them.

Who knows how many are familiar with Sieges Even, a German prog-metal band with enormous technical skill capable of delivering truly exceptional creativity. Those interested in discovering them could easily listen to their latest album. It’s "Paramount", from 2007, which follows up on the masterpiece "The Art Of Navigating By The Stars" from two years earlier. An album that is creative, original, dynamic, at times stronger, at times more intimate. This band is capable of anything and deserves more attention.

Right from the first track "When Alpha And Omega Collide", which offers electronic experimentation, distorted riffs, and delicate arpeggios, we are struck by the group's potential. It works well as an opener, followed by a somewhat peculiar "Tidal", which transitions from initial alternative metal to pop-rock in the chorus, giving us a sunny melody that conveys good vibes. The third track is the emotional ballad "Eyes Wide Open", which with its typical boyband melody could make many couples fall in love... "Iconic" is a piece with lively rhythms, where acoustic guitars interact well with the offered vocal effects and bass lines. "Where Our Shadows Sleep" offers another very clean melody with some harsher dives while "Duende" is more rhythmic and technical: the guitars alternate between distorted sounds and softer strums. "Bridge To The Divine" again introduces a pop-oriented chorus with a very sunny melody that alternates with pleasant guitar and vocal interplays. "Leftlovers" still features a pleasant chorus alternating with more metal rhythms, while "Mount Castles In The Blood Red Sky", which includes the famous speech by Martin Luther King, results in being rather mundane. Noteworthy, however, is the concluding "Paramount" (this one also includes an audio, this time of the man on the moon) which shifts from typical metal rhythms and space-like sounds to delicate melodies that even lead into a delightful saxophone part.

This album is truly surprising, definitely worth purchasing... but then make sure to listen to the previous one!