Retrospective: iNtroVert

iNtroVert is the 5th studio album by Progressive Metal (with touches of Heavy Neo Prog) Polish band Retrospective. The recording band for this album is comprised of Jakub Roszak on lead vocals, Beata �agoda on keyboards and backing vocals, Maciej Klimek and Darek Kaźmierczak on guitars, �ukasz Marszalek on bass, and Robert Kusik on drums.

A tasty piece pertaining to the heavier and more metallic side of the Polish progressive rock scene, with an overall sound of acts such as Pain of Salvation, with presence of puncturing guitars in the vein of Clepsydra with tons of dark melodic soloing, the constant invading pianos, and keys with an evident Richard Wright/Mark Kelly influence to them, heavy and tight rhythmic section resembling the music of bands such as IQ and Riverside, and the profound presence of haunting female vocals accompanying the warm (and sometimes angry) male leads, especially on the opener song “Log Out� … very atmospheric and dense at spots. “New Perspective� reminds me of a heavier version of the Norwegian band OAK, with a heavier punch and a more symphonic approach, the piano work is superbly catchy and is key to their sound, as is the sharp and heavy riffing rounded by the keys. Perhaps some of the darker moments of the album, both in music and lyrical content can be found in “Invincible Man� and “Intoxicated Generation�, with edgy melodies that seem to take the listener to brighter shores but it never happens… “you will never find relief, you already lost�… or “I really want to close your eyes� are some examples of a deeper darkness laying under the soft and warm vocals and the psychedelic pop found in the surface, with a slight touch of PF’s The Wall and Riverside teasers, a cool mix indeed. “Self-Control� is the perfect example of that heavy Neo Prog sound the band has developed, haunting keys intricately maneuvering alongside the heavy guitar riffs, the tight rhythmic section, and the atmospheric wall of sound that support the melodic content of the composition. Retrospective sounds like so many progressive rock acts but at the same time so unique and easy to identify, and Introvert a very interesting and enjoyable album. Cheers

Track Listing:

1. Log Out (8:52)
2. New Perspective (8:48)
3. Invincible Man (4:58)
4. Intoxicated Generation (9:51)
5. Away (6:52)
6. Self-Control (5:29)

Added: January 17th 2023
Reviewer: Jose Antonio Marmol
Score:
Related Link: Band @ Bandcamp
Hits: 541
Language: english

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