PROJECT ARCADIA – А Time Of Changes (2014)
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“А Time Of Changes” is the sophomore release from the Bulgarian Prog Metal band PROJECT ARCADIA and it is also the 1st album to feature their new vocalist, the great Urban breed of Tad Morose and Bloodbound fame (and one of my very favorite Metal singers of the past 15 years).
This was a wise choice, because Breed provides that ‘international feel’ needed for this music, as his tone and English diction is perfect.
“А Time Of Changes” contains 11 powerful guitar driven tracks with a flair of the progressive and all the while heavy. It’s pretty Euro melodic metal at places, very clean and polished.
This latest release features the gloriously great vocals of Urban breed (he always spells his surname in all-lowercase letters and insists that it is not part of a stage name) and his mere presence on this record raises the bar.
Breed’s clear and searing vocals have long been a trademark and his performance here is nothing less than spectacular. He is still easily one of the best Metal singers on the planet and Project Arcadia as a band have delivered a very solid record filled with metallic elements mixed with Prog.
The musicianship across the board is top notch, especially the guitars from both Plamen Uzunov and Villy Neshev who deliver some ferocious riffing.
The lead single for this record, “Formidable Foe”, is an excellent representation of what the band can do. The track is heavy, progressive, and the guitars set this song alight. And Urban breed provides a a lesson goin’ from lower register to higher notes.
Standout tracks include “The Deal”, the double bass fueled “Beggars At the Door”, the hard ‘n heavy “I Am Alive” and not to be out done is the powerful ballad that is “The Ungrateful Child”, with its Spanish flavored guitar stylings that are quite tasty and soothing.
Project Arcadia will find a home with all types of Metal fans, as this record covers enough cross genres to please anyone. Heavy, groovy, sometimes dark and always melodic music is what you’ll find in “A Time Of Changes”.
The band sounds amazing, tight, and their arrangements are tasty, never boring. The record is well produced, mixed & mastered.
To sum up, the overall quality of Project Arcadia’s “A Time Of Changes” will surprise many.
Strongly Recommended.
01 – Here To Learn
02 – Shelter Me
03 – I Am Alive
04 – Beggars At The Door
05 – The Ungrateful Child
06 – Timeless
07 – Joy
08 – A Time Of Changes
09 – Formidable Foe
10 – The Deal
11 – Shadows Of The Night
Urban Breed (Bloodbound) – Vocals
Plamen Uzunov – Guitars
Villy Neshev – Guitars
Dobromir Paraskov – Bass
Daniel Dimitrov – Drums
BUY IT !
nightmarerecords.com/online-store/project-arcadia-a-time-of-changes
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