Review on Agnosia - Trace decay (2009)

Progressive metal scene in GREECE...in less than a year we already have : Implosion,Winter Crescent,Soundgeist,Persona Non Grata,Everflow...and many more to come as my contacts have told me ...And now Agnosia.Some of you,may remember them from their debut demo, "The Inner Conflict" (2004),which gained some quite good reviews in a lot of magazines in Greece,and webzines around the world. It's been 5 years since then,and the band worked a lot,for almost 3 years,to end up in an incredible concept album named "Trace Decay".A story which may blacken your soul at first,but thank God,its end is better.A sad story of an actor who goes through a lot of situations in his life,not any pleasant ones,that took him away from health,work and mainly family. But it ain't worth it to give any more info about the story.It would be much better for you to get this disc in your hands and try to understand the whole story A story which should be slowly read,and be followed by the music this disc contains,because the mood in the songs goes along with the story.. To the music stuff now...As said before, "Trace Decay",is a progressive metal album with influences not just from the metal area but even some more classic stuff ,as the band seems to be quite open-minded.Bands as,late Queensryche,early Dream Theater,late Fates Warning,Savatage,Rush!!! seem to be the main influences of the band.Also in a few moments the sound of the drums reminded me some more jazz-y sounds..anyway...you can easily tell that we have to deal with a more 90's progressive metal influenced band. 11 tracks and one bonus,("Broken Memories") from "The Inner Conflict" demo,are completing this album,which surely got my attention.Not only the concept story...mostly the way it bonds with the music.You can easily feel that magic in the lyrics,which surely may sound depressing,but the relief is coming soon,after 60 minutes...Basically,for many Greeks who can't understand a lot of stuff in English this album will definately sound relaxing and easy listening,as it really is.As i don't think that is just for metal fans,but for music fans!! Also some very good use of the english language is seen...something not very often in Greek heavy metal bands (most of which are in lack of lyrical inspiration).The voice is also very good and touching,in the way he sings.Some very good use of keyboards is observed,and by saying good use,i mainly mean that they are used just for fixing the whole atmosphere and making a sound more...soul-talking i could say... Special mention has to be made to the all the guest musicians that took part in this album,and are a lot..The only bad thing is that i cannot sort out my personally favourite songs.If i definately had to choose a few,i would say surely "A Drift Into Lie","The Curtain's Rise","Picadilly Circus Nights"...and maybe the heartbreaking "Voices". Maybe one of the releases which will surely grab your attention...if only the Greeks weren't so prejudiced with their "own" bands,this release would surely kick some ass. Agnosia,will be playing live this september with the whole prog and run tour...check for more info in their myspace page...PROG. ON!!!