SUBSIGNAL – The Beacons Of Somewhere Sometime (2015)
Favorites of this blog, German progressive rockers SUBSIGNAL are coming back with their new album “The Beacons Of Somewhere Sometime“. This is the fourth CD from the band that arose out of the ashes of the very good outfit Siege Even, founded by excellent vocalist & songwriter Arno Menses and guitarist Markus Steffen.
“The Beacons of Somewhere Sometime” isn’t build on a conceptual storyline, but there is a some kind of connection through the various tracks on this new Subsignal opus. The overarching theme is about loss and parting.
When it comes to the music, Subsignal became harder again. The predecessor ‘Paraiso’ (featured on the blog) was in general a bit softer with some tracks that have been even closer to AOR.
The new album brings back some heavier riffs and intense rhythm section passages, but always around melodies and a polished sound, a Subsignal trademark. “Tempest” is a first indicator for this, underlined by songs like “Everything is Lost”.
But in the end it’s not about heavier or softer when it comes to Subsignal’s music. It’s the band’s lambent way of composing great songs that come with big melodies / harmonies merged with a lot of emotional depth and thoughtfulness.
“The Beacons of Somewhere Sometime” is full of those attributes and it’s the passion for details that makes Subsignal’s sound complex as well as approachable also for non-musicians or casual listeners.
This album is the soundtrack for an exciting journey through eleven new tracks from a band that combines technical capabilities with an outstanding sense for good, really well constructed songs.
“The Beacons of Somewhere Sometime” is another solid and entertaining album in Subsignal’s discography, especially recommended to those who like elaborated progressive arrangements, elegant melodies and clinical instrumentation / production.
Strongly Recommended.
01. The Calm
02. Tempest
03. A Time Out Of Joint
04. And The Rain Will Wash It All Away
05. Ashes Of Summer
06. A Myth Written On Water
07. Everything Is Lost
08. The Beacons Of Somewhere Sometime:
a. Part I: Maelstrom
b. Part II: The Path
c. Part III: In This Blinding Light
d. Part IV: A Canopy of Stars
Arno Menses (Sieges Even) – vocals
Markus Steffen (Sieges Even) – guitars
Luca di Gennaro (Soul Secret) – keyboards
Ralf Schwager (Dreamscape) – bass
Dirk Brand (Axxis, Geoff Downes, John Wetton) – drums
with:
Peavy Wagner (Rage) – vocals
Kalle Wallner (RPWL, Blind Ego) – guitar solo (3)
Jana Urbanová – flute
Albert Clemente – piano
Marek Arnold (Flaming Row) – backing vocals
Frank Rohles (Roxxbusters) – backing vocals
BUY IT !
musicbuymail.com/en/shop/cd/subsignal-the-beacons-of-somewhere-sometimes-cd
.