Detailed Reviews [Force of Progress - 2021 - "R3design"]

Prolusion. German band Force of Progress have been an active creative unit since 2016 or thereabouts, with three full length albums to their name so far. "R3design" is the most recent of these, and was released through German label Progressive Promotion records in the fall of 2021.

Analysis. The liner notes for this album may suggest that this production was perhaps more an effort of individual effort and enthusiasm than a band effort as such, and while that may be the case this doesn't really shine through all that much in the music I think. While there are differences between the tracks here, the sound, mood and atmosphere as well as the general approach does make this appear as more of a band effort to my ears. Presumably some choices in the mix and production department were employed to strengthen that notion, but other factors will presumably be a part of this too. With the detailed song credits perhaps being revealing in that department. Be that as it may be, the music explored here is an instrumental variety of what I'd choose to describe as progressive metal, where the compositions tends to revolve around either contrasting atmospheric laden and harder edges passages or revolve around phases with ebb and flow fluctuations in modes of expression and intensity as the main features. Being an instrumental production, instrument soloing is obviously an important factor throughout here, and the key members of Force of Progress are all fine instrumentalists with a good grasp for delivering interesting solo runs as well as supportive textures and delivering elements to result in appealing and intriguing atmospheric landscapes. The keyboards do shine brightest throughout here though, both as lead and support instruments, and we are treated to a fairly great variety of these to boot. Not that the guitar solo runs are of a lesser quality, but for me at least the presence of the keyboards as a whole as well as for instrument solo purposes just felt a bit more vital.

Conclusion. Instrumental progressive metal is something of a niche style, especially when exploring a more classic form of progressive metal rather than a more expressive variety. Those who tend to find such productions generally interesting and keyboard dominated ones in particular will find plenty to enjoy on this album though. A solid production for the right audience, but also an album with a bit more of a limited appeal beyond that audience I would suspect.

Progmessor: October 2021
The Rating Room