Sieges Even: The Art of Navigating by the Stars

The last time Sieges Even released something was in 1997. After the Uneven album, the band took a break, and the band members focused on different musical projects or had brief stints with other bands like Paradox and Blind Guardian. Back in 2000, however, the core lineup of Sieges Even reformed under the Val'Paraiso moniker without a vocalist. They cut two demos but what they produced seemed to reek heavily of the trademark Sieges Even sound, so the band reformed and began to seek a fitting vocalist. Enter Dutch singer Arno Menses, originally a drummer in the Netherlands, but his role in Sieges Even is completely fixed in the vocal department. Menses' vocal style has certainly injected new life into the band, as he is far from a hired gun brought in just to sing the lyrics. He seems to have taken a huge role in the songwriting process, defining the melodious edge of the band. The new songs encompass plenty of choruses packed with a passionate and soulful vocal delivery.

The Art of Navigating by the Stars is a long-form composition divided into eight movements, plus a short intro track. These movements, or sequences as they are named in the booklet, are all parts of a huge 63-minute song, linked through various key themes and motifs. A bit like Fates Warning's A Pleasant Shade of Gray in this respect, the songs use common motifs, best noticed on "The Weight", "Stigmata", and "Styx". The same melody line "The view from here is frightening" is repeated in each song together with Oliver Holzwarth's articulate bass riff, tying them together and lending the album a sense of unity. The writing is very cohesive throughout, utilising an array of influences that venture into both 7-string and classical guitar from Markus Steffen, who also boldly explores jazz and fusion category. His playing is no where near as busy as the older Sieges Even material, however. He is more focused on a song-oriented approach, and tries to escape any extended interplay that might have rendered the tracks meaningless. Still, there are several instrumental sections on the album executed with perfect harmony between the Holzwarth brothers and Steffen. "Unbreakable" is one of the strongest numbers for its progressive and innovative nature. After a midtempo start that is built around acoustic guitars and furious bass, there is a smooth instrumental breakdown where Alex Holzwarth's cymbal work is at its shining best and Markus Steffen's improvised jazz solo is intense. Arno Menses' vocal layering completes the track with an emotionally exhausting performance that reaches into the depths of the soul.

"The Weight", the longest song with 10 minutes, is also the heaviest. The dynamics of this song are flawless and the production is easily the best in Sieges Even's entire back catalog. Oliver Holzwarth proves to be one of the most underrated yet technical bassists in Germany, producing swift shifts between heavy and mellow melodies that allow Arno Menses to come up with staggering vocal harmonies. The chorus of "Stigmata" is utterly infectious, filled with a rich harmony layered on top of Steffen's continuous guitar theme, which is repeated over and over until the listener is immersed in its plaintive churning. The song, however, reaches its apex when the recurring theme resurfaces at the end with Menses' amazing singing. Again, originally a song from the Val'Paraiso demo, "The Lonely Views of Condors" follows a similar pattern. Atmosphere is generated by the melodic quality of Steffen's guitar riffs and textural melodies that do a great job without the need for a keyboard player. This song is loaded with a fantastic chorus that resolves the dense mood and lets Menses express himself with a masterful vocal melody at the very end. Those interested in Alex Lifeson meets Allan Holdsworth type of guitar playing will be pleased when they hear the classical guitar theme on "Blue Wide Open" or the fusion solo on "To Those Who Have Failed". Markus Steffen is an incredible songwriter with immense feel and invaluable dexterity.

Surely this has been one of the most anticipated comeback albums of the year, and it has more than fulfilled its aim. Sieges Even are no longer the ultra-technical prog metal act squeezing as many notes as possible in every song, and therefore may surprise some of their older fanbase. However, they have returned with an equally innovative piece of work and their best vocalist in their entire career. With a move to Inside Out, the future should only bring them more exposure and luck. It does take several spins for the music to grow on you, but it is definitely worth the effort.

Track Listing

1. Intro: Navigating by the Stars
2. Sequence I: The Weight
3. Sequence II: The Lonely Views of Condors
4. Sequence III: Unbreakable
5. Sequence IV: Stigmata
6. Sequence V: Blue Wide Open
7. Sequence VI: To the Ones Who Have Failed
8. Sequence VII: Lighthouse
9. Sequence VIII: Styx

Added: September 27th 2005
Reviewer: Murat Batmaz
Score:
Related Link: Sieges Even website
Hits: 9487
Language: english

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