Prog was my gateway drug into metal and I will always have a weakness for its crazy, over-the-top ways. It is quite difficult to find this genre unclaimed, as Dolph got this laser targeting system for his half birthday, so I waited until he had jumped a few time zones and then grabbed the first thing I could find. Aside from the confusing cover art, Sweden’s Paralydium have been distributing their brand of finger-flying theatricality since 2015, but with only one EP and a debut in 2020 Beyond the worlds They are still young in their recording career. It is prog week for icebergand I want spontaneous solos, 64th-note unisons and multi-movement songs injected directly into my cerebellum. Can Universe calls deliver the goods?
Universe calls is first and foremost a symphonic prog album, and a fairly traditional one at that. None of that blackened bombast or quirky genre blending; this is fleshly progressive metal. Think Camelot, Dream Theater And Symphony X. Although no one is responsible for the orchestrations, the synthesizer orchestra hits and swells are the sixth band member, and their interplay with the entire band is a central part of Paralydium‘s sound. Georg Egg delivers intricate drum parts peppered with syncopated, athletic fills. Jonathan Olsson’s bass is wonderfully highlighted, snappy and clear when he leads and rumbling when he supports. Alexander Lycke’s admirable performance reminds me of a Russell Allen without growls, but the stars of the show here are John Berg (guitar) and Mike Blanc (keyboards). Their dueling solos and long, harmonized unison riffs anchor the rest of the band and cement Universe calls as prog metal from start to finish.
If you want Symphony X‘s run from their self-titled to The OdysseyIt would be difficult to find a better doppelgänger than Universe calls. However, this is a double-edged sword, as the line between imitation and plagiarism is very thin. But first the positive. There is a lot of musical material in Universe calls; most of it is convincing and all well delivered. Along with the typically driving verses and rousing choruses, the Berg/Blanc duo also employ ambient acoustic passages to great effect (“The Arcane Exploration Part I,” “Interlude”). The band doesn’t bare its teeth very often, but the opening riff of “Caught In a Dream” and the harmonic minor-key bookends of single “Sands of Time” provide much-needed headbanging prowess. At 50 minutes, this album runs the risk of being too long, but the band generally has a good handle on song structure and knows how to use stylistic variation and riff placement to make the songs seem shorter than they are (“Forging the Past,” “Caught In A Dream”).
Paralydium boast standout performances, but they lack a key part of the songwriting formula: hooks. The lack of memorable, catchy material is a death sentence for any composition, especially one with a progressive bent. The closest the band comes is the chorus in “Sands of Time” – as evidenced by its status as the first single – but after multiple listens, this was the only vocal part. or instrumental melody that stuck in my head. And then there’s “The Arcane Exploration.” This gigantic 25-minute opus, split into two parts, makes up about half the album’s running time, but doesn’t have nearly the dynamics or style changes to justify its length. Usually, prog bands break such tracks into movements, each with its own flair and verse/chorus structure. But Paralydium risk a lot with two huge movements and ultimately fall through due to overextended solo and transition sections and not enough shared DNA to hold the pieces together. It’s a shame, because the performances in them border on excellence, but the trap of prog is the indulgence that leads to sterility, and Universe calls falls victim to exactly this problem.
This brings us to the downside of Symphony X-Worship, that is Universe calls. The surface of the album is ready to serve and it is a nostalgic, pleasant listening experience for those who long for the halcyon days of symphonic prog. But inside, something is missing, the absence of the vibrant core that V: The new mythology suite And The Odyssey such genre classics. I hope Paralydium continue to find their own style and voice, but I can’t help but feel Universe calls represents a ceiling for their growth. It’s one thing to emulate a genre-defining band and carry on the legacy it created, especially when that band has been quiet for a decade. But as the late, great Omar Little said, “If you’re going for the king, you better not miss.”
Evaluation: 3.0/5.0
DR: Not applicable | Verified format: ELECTRICITY
Label: Borders Music
Website: facebook.com/paralydium
Publications worldwide: 23 August 2024
