Detailed Reviews [rEarth - 2013 - "For My Dreams I Fall"]

Prolusion. The Italian band rEARTH was formed by Fabio Tomasino and Simone Paoloni in 2011. This formative duo have a background from a thrash metal, but at this point in time desired to be in a band that allowed them to create music with a broader scope. "For My Dreams I Fall" is the full length debut album of rEarth, self released in 2013.

Analysis. It doesn't take long to sense that rEarth is a band that has members with a background in metal, as opening number Pain for Loss mainly alternates between a fairly intense thrash metal riff driven construction and a metal-oriented guitar riff and acoustic guitar driven arrangement in a tight, energetic and fairly vibrant opening number. But from that point and onwards, it quickly becomes apparent why rEarth describes themselves as a band exploring progressive rock and progressive metal, as this opening composition is just about the only purebred metal track at hand here. Throughout the rest of this production we're dealing with a band that alternates between a select few stylistic variations, and plays around a bit with various elements in them as well. There isn't really a core expression you can say the band operate out from either, as the different styles explored, in general, are fairly evenly divided. But the fact that passages with a distinct metal oriented style are a recurring feature, a taste for metal is warranted to be able to enjoy this disc. Still, one of the defining features of this band's sound is rather far removed from metal. Standalone and dual acoustic guitars with vocals on top, with and without bass and drums beneath, is a style utilized extensively throughout. From frail, brittle and sparse arrangements to pace-filled, intense and more dramatic excursions, this side of rEarth's sound is one I suspect many metal fans will find ever so slightly puzzling. The second of the three main styles explored combines this more tender side of the band's repertoire with metal, basically by combining different constellations of riff driven arrangements with a supplemental acoustic guitar, with fairly different levels of drive and intensity ranging from a sound closer to the likes of Porcupine Tree to one with a more distinct metal basis where the acoustic guitar adds a gentler, subtle touch to the proceedings. The third main style explored by the band is metal, and again with a fair degree of variety at hand. From galloping heavy metal excursions of the kind that gives associations to the likes of Iron Maiden to more sophisticated excursions closer to Queensryche at times, and a fair few more intense runs that make it apparent that some of the folks in this band are familiar with thrash metal. rEarth does play around quite a bit with these three main styles and the elements in them however, and will just as often combine one or more features from each of them as they will explore each of them in a more purebred form. The songs tend to alternate quite a bit in style and intensity in general too, so defining the band or the individual songs into a specific, clearly defined context isn't the easiest task around. The lead vocals are a part of this too, ranging from dramatic deliveries with lots of emotion in a manner that occasionally may be compared to the likes of Geoff Tate to rough, barked vocals of the kind usually encountered in bands exploring a more extreme and purebred metal sound. By and large, rEarth explores their chosen territories fairly well. The vocals may not be to everybody's taste mind you, and the production may arguably be a tad on the weak side, depending very much on a personal and subjective taste and point of view. It is an entertaining production however, and a reasonably well made one at that. That I haven't encountered too many other bands exploring similar waters adds a further level of interest to this band, at least as I regard them.

Conclusion. Alternating between frail acoustic guitar driven landscapes, more intense metal oriented ones and a fair few combining elements of those two, and playing around with instrument and vocals details from progressive rock, progressive metal and non-progressive metal, rEarth has opted to explore a niche not too many other bands are exploring these days, at least to my knowledge. They do so fairly well, managing to create compositions that engage both by the variety at hand but also due to the moods and atmosphere they explore. A band and an album worth taking a look at by liberal minded fans of progressive rock and metal, and especially by those who tend to enjoy bands creating music in the borderlands between these styles.

OMB=Olav M Bjornsen: June 4, 2014
The Rating Room