Time's Forgotten - 2025 - Songs of Awakening

(50:26; Melodic Revolution Records)






















When I reviewed this Costa Rican band’s fourth album, ‘Shelter’, which was released in 2022 I said I really hoped we would not have to wait as long for the next one as there had been a ten-year gap from the previous release. Mind you, part of that may have been caused by the change in vocalist from Francisco Longhi to Priscilla Ruiz, and just three years on from the last album we have the same line-up as last time around with founder Juan Pablo Calvo (keyboards, guitar, vocals) again joined by Priscilla, Jorge Sobrado (drums), Chalo Trejos (bass),  and Ari Lotringer (lead guitar).

Here we have a prog metal act who are more than happy to crunch the riffs, and although formed by the keyboard player, Juan is more than happy to play a supporting role. More Threshold than Dream Theater, this is a guitar-based metal outfit who come to prog and technical metal from a melodic viewpoint, and while they have a singer who provides them with a certain Doro panache what makes these songs work are the intricacies and finesse from all involved. It is nice to hear the drums somewhat up in the mix, as Jorge has a great deal to offer in the way he rarely sits back, but instead drives the band forward with different rhythms and points of attack while Chalo concentrates on melody and providing counterpoint to Ari, who is more than happy to sit back, provide basic riffs, or do something far more technical with Juan acting as the glue which keeps it all together. 

Then at the front you have a singer who can be emotional and delicate, or rising above the maelstrom, happily dealing with whatever the guys can throw at her. The result is yet another very modern sounding progressive album with great songs which is  incredibly easy to listen to the very first time it is played. The use of contrast and dynamics combined with a lack of egos makes this yet another incredibly enjoyable release which needs to be discovered. 

Kev Rowland, October 2025

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/timesforgotten
https://mrrmusic.com/

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