ReSolve - 2015 - Wayward Sanctuary

(45:46; Layered Reality Productions)

Track list:
1. Pitch Black Eyes 6:31
2. These Voices 5:26
3. Unchained 3:54
4. Still Breathing 6:47
5. N.P.O.A.L 4:31
6. Blood Will Tell 7:05
7. December 11:32

Line-up:
Fabian Blomsma - synthesizers
Radina Dimcheva - vocals
Justus Ebel - bass
Gregory van der Hoeven - drums
Lennert Kemper - guitars, vocals
with:
Yannick Coolen - vocals
Laura Guldemond - vocals


Prolusion.
Dutch band ReSolve was formed sometime around 2010, and remained an active unit until 2018 when the band announced that they went into hiatus for the time being. During their initial lifespan the band released one studio album. This production was called "Wayward Sanctuary", and was released through Dutch label Layered Reality Productions in 2015.

Analysis.
It becomes clear rather quickly that progressive metal is the style explored by this band. Or rather, that metal is the name of their game is quickly established and that their brand of metal comes with progressive properties is only established a bit after that. As such, this is a band that probably merits a description as being a more accessible progressive metal band.

The songs here will typically ebb and flow a bit, be it between gentler and harder hitting moods and modes or by way of having sequences a bit more primal or straight forward in nature alternating with parts that are more on the expressive side of matters. With some songs featuring quirky or whimsical interludes as the main progressive property.

Some of the metal parts of the experience here actually made me recall 80s metal or arguably even an 80s US power metal feel to some of the escapades undertaken by ReSolve on this occasion. That we have a song I categorized as Nightwish light in my notes and another songs where my notes state that we get some moods and atmospheres similar to the more accessible side of Dream Theater is probably also worth noting. ReSolve does cover quite a bit of ground here, and there are songs here that would fit the traditional metal crowd as well as the symphonic metal crowd and a case might be argued for fans of both of these traditions to possibly find this production more interesting as a whole than a more progressive metal oriented audience.

Otherwise I note that the lead vocals by Radina Dimcheva tends to stick to the darker parts of the register, which does give the songs a rather distinct feel, but that she is able and willing to give the higher parts of her register a good operatic workout when this is called upon.

While I do find many of the songs here both interesting and intriguing and with a solid quality more often than not, my impression is that this is an album that possibly may have more of a niche appeal. It is a distinct album with a distinct sound, but may end up as a bit too expressive for a regular metal crowd and a bit too accessible for a progressive metal geared audience.

Conclusion.
ReSolve's solve album strikes me as being on the accessible side of matters but also an album that comes with a distinct sound and feel to it that may limit its overall appeal. Blending more primal and arguably common traditional metal tropes with accessible progressive metal and a little bit of a symphonic metal influx is at least a blend I haven't come across all that often, and then especially with a darker toned female lead vocalist in front. If you enjoy 80s metal teaming up with accessible progressive metal and appreciate a little bit of a symphonic metal influx mixed into this, chances are good that this is an album that you might want to investigate a bit.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, April 2024

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/ReSolveNL
https://www.layered-reality.com/