The island of Malta is not known as a haven for progressive rock but then again there is no reason it shouldn't be either. Colourblind is trying to capture a much broader audience then their homeland with the release of their second disc Spectre.
They play the fine line between progressive metal and AOR with a keen sense of just how far to stray into either genre. It could have been a disaster but they somehow pull it off with a touch that will keep fans of both entertained. Leaning toward an older Genesis type sound (Gabriel era) with a flair of the dramatic that will make you think of the lighter side of Dream Theater, this band has the tools to make some waves in the industry. The title track "Spectre" has the Genesis spectre hanging over it big time. They could be selling Malta by the pound but somehow it works and works quite well.
Even when they turn to a much more mainstream sound as on "Stranded" with its acoustic and keyboard backdrop the band makes a lasting impression. It might be a bit light for some but the regal soundscape is compelling. When they go toward the more prog oriented metal sound as with "Run For The Dark" the epic quality shines through brightly. They can take it to both extremes with equal ability and even throw in some delightful jazzy moments as in the afore mentioned song.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable album for all. They have a style and elegance that is sadly lacking in a lot of today's releases.
If I have a complaint about this disc it would be the length of just over 31 minutes and the tiny print used to put the lyrics on the booklet. I almost had to get a magnifying glass out to read it. Other than that, this is one very cool disc that will be a welcome addition to fans of the bands that I have mentioned and those that love a bold statement by a very talented group.
Track listing:
1. Miles
2. Spectre
3. Masquerade
4. Stranded
5. Run For The Dark
6. Beyond Control
7. Days (Part 1)
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