Sky Empire - 2023 - The Shifting Tectonic Plates of Power. Part One [mini-review]

(65:00; ViciSolum Productions)



















UK band Sky Empire are out with the album "The Shifting Tectonic Plates of Power. Part One", and progressive metal is the style explored on this production. It is very much a classic variety of the form we get with this album, and in my book at least this one will be sorted under the Dream Theater school of progressive metal. In this case a band that explore similar ideals as the old giants used to take on back at the start of their career, with a fine balance between expressive, challenging and technical flurries and passages made with a stronger focus on atmospheric laden and appealing aspects. Big riffs and virtuous soloing coexist nicely with floating keyboard driven passages and occasional nods in the direction of classic era hard rock. Tasteful and elegant but also quirky and demanding. That the album kicks off with close to 15 minute long instrumental is perhaps a bit of a telltale indicator about how this album will play out. A production to seek out by those who enjoy old school progressive metal of the kind that bands like Dream Theater used to make.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, November 2023

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/SkyEmpireMusic
https://www.facebook.com/vicisolumproductions

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