25 Yard Screamer: Until All Are One

This is the first time I have had the pleasure of hearing 25 Yard Screamer, a South Wales trio who have just released a fantastic fourth album entitled Until All Are One, the follow-up to 2007's Cassandra.

The band consists of Matt Clarke (bass), Nick James (guitars, vocals, keyboards) and Donal Owen (drums). The musicianship is tight and the music is very melodic, making this a very satisfying listen. Until All Are One should appeal to fans of melodic rock and metal and progheads will be happy of the many proggy touches found throughout. Besides the obvious three piece configuration, Rush fans will be happy with the many references to that band especially in the edgy Lifeson-like guitar rhythms and textures that are used to construct these seven songs. The album clocks in at roughly sixty-four minutes with three songs over ten minutes so there is a lot of room for the band to develop themes and take interesting twists and turns.

This is first and foremost a guitar oriented album with keyboards used sparingly and mostly as a textural element. The guitars are so well done and the music so full of melodic hooks I did not find this music lacking in the slightest. The songs are well constructed, not overly complex but still interesting enough for the average progressive rock fan.

Beginning with the mid tempo rock of "Jeremiah" the band is off to a fine start. The riffs are melodic and atmospheric with heavier with darker tones and some electronic elements are incorporated into the mix as well. The mellower and heavier parts flow nicely making the fourteen minutes fly by.

In "All Gods Toys" Grace Under Pressure-era Rush came to mind and the vocals of James are spot on as he has an excellent voice. With the instrumental "Whorus" the chugging riffs give way to soaring lead guitar and psych influenced soloing.

Midway through the album is the second epic entitled "Train" where the softer moments recall the mellower side of Porcupine Tree. This one also has a Riverside vibe at times.

One of my favouites is the irresistible "Parade Of Souls" with its ultra-catchy melody, nice mixture of acoustic and electric guitar and richly layered vocals adding a warm feeling to the sound.

The album ends with the outstanding "The Thirteenth Bell", sixteen minutes of pure melodic bliss. Again, the layered vocals and catchy riffs just might stick in your head for days. The band is at its best incorporating lighter and heavier sounds and nowhere is it done better than on this track.

If you like melodic progressive rock/metal you should love this disc. As for Rush fans, well, what are you waiting for? Support this band, they deserve it.

Track Listing:
1. Jeremiah
2. All Gods Toys
3. Whorus
4. Train
5. The Waiting Room
6. Parade Of Souls
7. The Thirteenth Bell

Added: November 24th 2011
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Band's MySpace Page
Hits: 3920
Language: english

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