ASYMMETRIC UNIVERSE – The Sun Would Disappear As I Imagined All The Stars
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Progressive metal often has the bad reputation of being performed by skilled musicians who unfortunately too often engage in self-indulgent complexity just for its own sake. It usually gets worse when these bands play instrumental music, without a vocalist getting in the way of the musicians. In the case of Asymmetric Universe, an instrumental trio from Italy, we have all the ingredients you need to fail, but miraculously they make it all work. So what distinguishes them from the competition. First of all, they don’t limit their music to prog metal, but add just as much jazz fusion, resulting in a very unique sound that might appeal to fans of both genres. But even more importantly, the guys are tremendous songwriters that come up with unforgettable melodies and moving emotions. Their second EP The Sun Would Disappear As I Imagined All The Stars comes four years after their debut EP, and while they were already a tight playing unit, the new songs are longer and considerably richer. It’s no surprise that the musicians study music, from classical music to jazz. Don’t expect any mindless jamming. Instead every not sits perfectly well where it’s supposed to be. The opener Extrospection combines the jazz fusion sound of the seventies with the progressive metal sound of the current era, and as a trio, every musician gets the chance to shine with their instrument. There is also a string quartet that can be heard discreetly on different parts of the song. The following As Within, So Without continues in that vein, sounding like Billy Cobham, Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea and John McLaughlin getting together to invent progressive metal. My favourite song is Kaleidoscope, a madcap ride that has a definite funfair atmosphere. Trumpet and saxophone parts underline the zaniness of it all. Especially the final movement, which speeds up the chorus, always manages to get a smile on my face. The concluding (re):emerge is at nearly twelve minutes the EP’s magnum opus and once again enchants with its judicious mix of skilled performance and incredible songwriting. The guys recommend their music to fans of Animals As Leaders and Plini, but frankly Asymmetric Universe 1. are far more entertaining, 2. write more accessible song and 3. have a much stronger fusion jazz influence. If you can imagine liking Return To Forever or Weather Report play metal, you should check out this tremendous EP: The Sun Would Disappear As I Imagined All The Stars might leave you speechless, but in a good way. |
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4 songs |
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30:36 minutes |
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***** **** |
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Genre: instr. prog metal / jazz fusion (self-released) |
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