Member:
ffroyd
(Profile)
(All Album Reviews by ffroyd)
Date:
8/2/2003
Format:
CD (Album)
The Rodler family is at it again. These folks, who also run their own Progressive Music Management label, who've introduced such great things as Leger de Main, RH Factor and Gratto have a brand new project called Mythologic. Brothers Chris and Brett on guitars and drums respectively are joined on this by guitarist Steve Matusik from the band Andeavor. Rounding out the band is another Leger de Main alumnist, Melissa Rodler, who provides vocals and lyrics.
The music on Standing In Stillness is undeniably prog metal, very heavy and quite intricate. The interlocking dual guitar work of Chris and Steve can be very impressive while remaining quite easy to listen to. Although I'm not a very big fan of the band Tool, there are several things here that remind me of their plodding, offbeat style. The drumming of Brett Rodler is very adventurous with lots of energetic fills and complex patterns. And I can't neglect to mention what sets this apart from everything else, which is Melissa's incredible haunting voice. The album's opening track "Magic To Breathe" is a wonderful acapella piece that showcases her talent right away. Throughout the disc, Melissa has numerous multi-tracked vocal parts that add an interesting dimension to the heavy music.
So if you are a fan of bands like the aforementioned Tool or something more melodic like Rush and Dream Theater (there are even moments here that remind me of Voivod!), go to the PMM website and check out this band. If you're already a Leger de Main fan you're probably way ahead of me.
Member:
llorenth
Date:
10/17/2003
From the brothers Rodler, guitarist Steve Matusik (formerly of the now-defunct Andeavor), and the enchanting Melissa Rodler comes a powerful progressive metal album. Upon first listen, the music seems slightly reminiscent of Alder-era Fates Warning: Rush-like melodies and guitar-tones, complex drumming, a dark mood. Further inspection reveals the Rodler touch of instrumental chaos – Brett’s uniquely frantic style of drumming and Chris’ wild complex compositions - blended with a definite Rush-inspired songwriting style from Matusik. Melissa’s voice is stronger than ever; clever double tracking of her vocals throughout the album produces some great moments of counterpoint and harmony. All of the songs have strong choruses, but vary greatly. “Battled Beliefs” is an intensely blistering heavy scorcher. “A Dim Too Dark” is a shadowy, labyrinthine epic. “Flash of Red” has an optimistic bent, musically and lyrically, while “Truth Undiscovered” is really rocking, and as angry and indignant as Melissa has ever been. The starting track, “Magic to Breathe”, is an effects-free a capella track not indicative of the rest of the album; while it has definitely grown on me, putting it at the start of the album was a questionable move and the only perceptible weakness in an otherwise ferociously strong album. Heavy and complex, full of melody and very strong female vocals, Standing in Stillness is one of the best things to ever emerge from the PMM camp - highest recommendations, especially to Rush and Fates Warning fans.
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