I have been listening to progressive metal for over 10 years and it's strange
cause I've never heard anything from Tim Donahue before. It's even more strange
that he has released six albums already none of which I heard of until Madmen
& Sinners came out.
This may be of the best progressive metal albums of 2004, and one of the
contributing factors is that Donahue reaches a broader audience this time must
by the inclusion of Dream Theater vocalist James Labrie. Donahue obviously wrote
this album with Labrie on mind. I can't think of a better match and James
Labrie delivers an outstanding vocal performance which perfectly matches the
atmosphere of the album.
Madmen & Sinners is a 68-minute progressive metal album comprising Tim
Donahue on fretless guitar, bass and keyboards; James Labrie on vocals and Mike
Mangini on drums. I have been watching Mangini closely since I first discovered
him in Extreme and then Annihilator, Steve Vai and finally Labrie's solo project
Mullmuzzler. He recorded his drum parts back in the USA and sent the over to
Donahue who mixed it at his home studio, and the drumming is fresh and creative
on the entire disc.
The fact that Tim Donahue has always played fretless guitar gives him his own
edge. The instrument sounds distinctive and gives him a lot more freedom in his
writing and playing. It has to be pointed out that Donahue's playing is very
articulated, smooth and emotionally engaging. Although Madmen & Sinners
is primarily his own project, this album in no way sounds like a one-man-band
project. There is plenty of room for James Labrie's expressive and dark vocals
plus some Gregorian chants which all give this album its own character. James
sings quite differently from his role in Dream Theater and what's so interesting
is that whenever he participates in a side project (Frameshift, Ayreon,
Mullmuzzler), he has so much to offer. His singing style shifts from dark
soothing vocals on "The End" to a really aggressive style on "Master of the
Mind" or "Million Miles". You've never heard him sing the way he sings in "My
Heart Bleeds" or "Children of the Flame". It's a pity he is criticised by much
of his own fanbase for not sounding 'harsh' enough, but he has a voice that is
100% James Labrie and instantly recognizable, and not another dated Halford,
Dickinson or Kiske clone.
The first 10 plus times I listened to this album, I was reminded of Dream
Theater's Scenes From A Memory, only less complex and less flashy. But
then my opinion slowly started changing and the similarities between to two
albums began to wither. This album is definitely its own thing. The added
Gregorian chants with Latin language, the fat organ sound and the few spoken
parts give way to the dark and brooding melodies. You can tell why it took
Donahue nearly three years to finish this album since he handled the recording,
mixing and production duties himself. Everything is so balanced and each
instrument plays in perfect harmony with Labrie's vocals beautifully layered on
top of it.
Tim Donahue has created a great album. Hopefully we'll be hearing more from
him but I'm in no hurry. This is already one of those discs that I will be
playing on and off, for for some time, since there is so much to discover here.
Highly recommended to prog metal fans who like their music intense, powerful and
emotionally charged.
Track Listing:
Million Miles
Let Go
My Heart Bleeds
Feel My Pain
Morte Et Dabo
Children Of The Flame
The End
Wildest Dreams
Master Of The Mind
Madmen And Sinners
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