Imperiumi

***½ (3½/5)

review by: Niko Kaartinen
review date: 4.8.2006

DEPTH BEYOND ONE'S
Soledad In The Gale
CD-R

Only a bit over four months old "Depth Beyond One's" says they come from Oulu and that their first demo's genre is progressive metal. They say they are influenced by bands like "Dream Theater", "Meshuggah" and "Ephel Duath". So, after four months of training they jump ahead to the deep end of the pool of music. Also, the recording of the drums were the first ever for the band's drummer. Concluded, they've been running for a very short timespan and the genre is not the easiest one to succeed in. This must be complete shit, right?

Damnit. It isn't. These guys can play, and the music sounds pretty much the same as the bands they say they are influenced of (as much in the good way as in the worse).

Progressive metal is a genre where music easily goes to f***ing up the playing with too difficult stuff and nonsense tricks. DBO doesn't pass this cleanly and eventhough having quite entertaining songs, approximately six and a half minute songs include parts where people might disagree on the necessity of them. The situation would be clearly horrible if the band members would not be able to play them exactly. Gladly, DBO handles their instruments and long solo-parts actually don't feel that bad. And for more, you'll be able to find some pretty nice ideas and really up-build songs while going through the demo. Still, the band ain't no Dream Theater yet but you never know what the future brings. One thing I do know is that the band has skill and clearly an ear and an eye in writing music. Only one song, "Stowaway", has a strong feeling of everything not going right. Maybe you should just leave these chewgum-pop-ballads to DT, right guys?

On technical level, the sounds are clear and easy for ear, everything works and the demo doesn't fall for being a shitty mess.

I suppose you've already send your demo to Insideout and other progressive music labels? I wouldn't be surprised if, besides the band members, someone else could get inspired and interested of their music.

http://www.dboband.com