After recently being signed to Femme Metal Records, it is only appropriate that the band starts off this new beginning with a look back at what got them there. Over the previous ten years, the band has gone through changes in musical direction and it is very interesting to follow the progression from their beginnings as the band called Arise From Thorns.
After their last disc Monuments, it was apparent that this female fronted band from the Washington D.C. area was going to make some noise in the world of progressive metal. Lost in Retrospect gives you the chance to see what started those ripples that became the terrific metal waves crashing through your senses on the last disc. Another analogy would be watching the baby grow up and become the adult you always hoped they would be.
This album has some of the best music out their right now. The cuts from the album Monuments are terrific choices that show just where the band is at this time and will blow you away with the mixture of outstanding musical ability and one of the best female vocalist to come along. The music from before this point shows the growth and maturing of a phenomenal band. At times you will be checking to see if it is some old Renaissance in the player as Brave delivers some outstanding performances that combine the old world acoustic charm with the modern electric sound that has become their trademark. The songs from this period are quickly becoming some of the most listened to music in my household. Too bad I had to wait till this best of disc to acquaint myself with it!
The early stuff is a much simpler sound but still shows the keen sense of dynamics that the band has. Rich, lush music fills the air with a much more laid back approach then what you will hear on their more recent offerings. "Remember The Stars" from this period is one outstanding song that has a mystical feel that is just mesmerizing. On this disc, it is followed by the absolutely stunning piece called "Blue Skies". The acoustic guitar work on this song will have you hoping that they do not abandon this style completely in their new works. This is the type of music that got me hooked on progressive to begin with and this retrospective should have you ordering their disc just as fast as you can access your pay pal account.
Having only come across this group from their most recent offering, this has been and continues to be, a very rewarding experience discovering the roots of a very cool band. I am sure you will be hooked on them as much as I am after hearing it.
I only have one complaint about this album. The song order starts with their newer stuff and then sort of regresses to the older before finishing off with one of the new songs again. This is just personal preference but I would have liked to hear it a little more chronologically. I can see where the record company would want to show how well the older stuff mixes in with the newer but to hear the progression from the beginning would have been a better choice in my opinion.
Still, this is one seriously great compilation and one that will be a continuous source of enjoyment for you. I just love this disc and I am sure that any progressive music fan will too. It is really that good.
Track listing:
1. Something To This
2. Driven
3. Hold On
4. Words
5. Before Nightfall
6. Trapped Inside
7. Candle in the Dark
8. Dark Waters
9. To Dream Again
10. Surrender
11. Dance by Moonlight
12. Remember the Stars
13. Blue Skies
14. Passages