Lengthy concept albums and progressive metal go hand in hand. There’s something about telling a full story with varied songwriting, preludes and segues that goes back to the days of such rock masterpieces as The Who’s "Tommy" or Pink Floyd’s "The Wall". When it comes to progressive metal, one can not deny the impact Queensryche had with "Operation: Mindcrime" on the scene. Sweden’s Mind Eye started in 1992 with bassist Johan Niemann and drummer Daniel Flores, slugging it out with various singers and guitarists until securing a deal with Sensory in 1997 for their debut album "Into The Unknown". Through studies at the Stockholm Music Conservatory Daniel and Johan would meet their new singer Andreas Novak and recorded their second album "…Waiting For The Tide" in 1999. In the passing years two more albums have come out, members have played in various project acts and they’ve signed with Finland’s Lion Music.Now up to speed, let’s investigate this 5th studio album, a sprawling 13 track effort that clocks in at just a shade under 75 minutes.

Mind’s Eye took a bold step forward in creating this conceptual piece. A story of murder, intrigue, politics, religion and the intertwined sub-plots as an older man must assassinate key figures for ‘the Illuminati’ within a week or be the subject of his own demise. Songs like “Hell’s Invitation” and “Skin Crawl” navigate around darker chord progressions and pumping progressive rhythmic passages which recall the best moments of Evergrey’s catalog along with an appreciation for American bands like Fates Warning or Queensryche. Andreas’ range has an AOR timbre with the power and pitch control of the masters in the genre- smooth when called for in the mid-tempo numbers but also reaching the high notes with ease in tracks like “Seven Days” and the catchy video track “Feed My Revolver”. The more cinematic tracks like “Ashes To Ashes (In Land Lullaby)” or “Graveyard Hands” contain the right key accents in terms of instrumentation (flutes for the cultural aspects of the latter) or atmosphere (dialog and baby crying parts in the former). To add to their influences I hear a strong sense of appreciation for 70’s progressive rock, especially acts like Jethro Tull, Kansas and Yes with efforts like the aforementioned “Graveyard Hands” or the closing 10:58 epic “Pandora’s Musical Box”- especially the multi-tracked vocals which pan back and forth to create tension.

I’ve read that drummer Daniel Flores has received drummer of the year awards through melodic rock.com for his performances- and I can easily understand why as he has such an intuitive nature to his style, the flexibility to propel the songs forward in simple groove as well as off time signature form. I remember hearing their debut album and believe me, Mind’s Eye have made a monumental step forward in their 10 year album history. “A Gentleman’s Hurricane” for me is the progressive metal album of 2007, and probably rates first in the best album I’ve listened to within the last 10 years.

Progpower Europe, UK or USA appearances can’t be far behind - purchase immediately.

Zink (www.myspace.com/zinkmusic)
www.roundrec.com
www.linomusic.com