Detailed Reviews [Inside The Sound - 2017 - "Wizard's Eyes"]

Prolusion. Ukraine band Inside the Sound has been an active entity since at least 2010, as that was the year they released their first album "Time Z". Some years down the line they released their second and most recent album to date, a production named "Wizard's Eyes", on a label called Modern Rock Music.

Analysis. Inside the Sound is a self-described melodic progressive metal band, and while I'm not familiar with their first studio production I would claim that as far as their second album is concerned that description is a little bit misleading. If anything I'd rather sort the band inside a progressive rock or perhaps even a jazzrock tradition. While none of these would be quite correct either, to my mind they would be a slightly better definition than progressive metal. That being said, we do get occasional visits into progressive metal landscapes here, with quirky but compelling riff structures leading the way and the intensity levels turned up a notch or three. Compelling landscapes when visited and vibrant excursions into landscapes flowing with energy. And in a more related department we also get a liberal amount of solo runs that appear to draw in impulses from the neo-classical tradition. But rather more prominent throughout are floating and flowing excursions with a light, elegant and uplifting vibe to them, where a jazzrock feel is very much present to a lesser or greater degree. Sections with a bit more of a playful hard rock vibe are present too, and more loose and distinct jazzrock oriented escapades is a part of the totality too. With a little bit of folk music and psychedelic rock flavoring used on occasion. As far as the jazzrock department goes, we actually get one song that at least in part comes across a something of a homage to 70's Al Di Meola here, with the guitars, bass and rhythms all exploring landscapes that should sound familiar to fans of Meola, and in the more hard rock oriented department we do get a song or two with the same amount of similarities towards the earlier phase of Joe Satriani's solo career. And I would suggest that many of the compositions operate within the distance between 70's Meola and late 80's Satriani somewhere, with a little bit of a progressive rock flavoring applied by default. The most striking and distinct feature of this production, besides the elegantly flowing and compelling landscapes, is that the compositions are bright, uplifting and jubilant creations. There's a vibrant feeling of purebred and honest joy throughout this album, and to the point that for me at least this is something that elevates the listener experience up a notch.

Conclusion. "Wizard's Eyes" is among the most vibrant albums I have encountered within the fields of instrumental guitar driven album experiences. The vibrancy of a Satriani and the elegance of a Di Meola with the depth of both, explored in an uplifting and joyous manner through landscapes with multiple facets, charms and turns. This is music that will make you happy, at least if instrumental music and progressive rock explored with a jazzrock, hardrock and little bit of a progressive metal edge is music you tend to be fascinated by. If you like 70's Al Di Meola as well as 80's Joe Satriani in equal measures, chances are good that you'll find this album to be an intriguing and rewarding first class experience.

Progmessor: January 2023
The Rating Room