TRACK LIST:
1. Touchstones 7:59
2. Ashes of Summer 5:36
3. The Bells of Lyonesse 5:05
4. The Sea 7:07
5. Walking with Ghosts 7:48
6. Even Though the Stars Don't Shine 4:59
7. The Passage / Drum Solo 10:21
8. La Muerta 6:05
9. My Sanctuary 5:28
10. Time and Again 1:10
11. Paraiso 4:51
12. Paradigm 7:18
LINE UP :
Markus Steffen - guitars
Arno Menses - vocals
Ralf Schwager - bass
Markus Maichel - keyboards
Dirk Brand - drums
Prolusion.
German band Subsignal was formed back in 2007, initially as a side venture for members of progressive metal band Sieges Even but fairly shortly the same members decided to leave that band to focus on developing Subsignal instead. At this stage they have released five studio albums, of which "La Muerta" from 2018 is the most recent one. "A Song for the Homeless" is the first live album by Subsignal, and was released through German label Gentle Art of Music back in 2020.
Analysis.
Just what to focus on when writing about live albums is a difficult task, as most of the potential buyers will be aware of the band already, and focusing too much on describing the music will not really be needed for them. At the same time those not familiar with the band need to get some information to place the band inside of some sort of context.
At the Progarchives website this band has been placed into the neo-progressive rock category, and while I can hear reasons for why this is the case I wouldn't describe Subsignal as they come across on this album as a band that explore this specific tradition of progressive rock, at least not exclusively and not in a dominant manner either. Instead I'd say that this live footage documents a band exploring an accessible and melodic manner of hard progressive rock.
Recurring elements I took note of throughout this live album are guitar details reminding at times rather much of the style and mode of one Alex Lifeson, and with a tight rhythm section and a driving bass emphasizing that similarity alongside the melodic lead vocals. It is a more accessible variety of Rush I was reminded of throughout, with the early to mid eighties version of the band in particular and perhaps the "Hold Your Fire" album in particular where I found the similarities here. Something I see I also took note of when going through Subsignal's studio album "La Muerta" a few years back.
Subsignal does provide a bit more than merely a good rendition of the type of music Rush explored some 35 years ago though. More atmospheric laden neo-progressive sections is a part of the total experience here, a few details that sound a bit closer to a band like Triumph makes an appearance or three, punchier sections with more of a progressive metal attitude is a part of many songs here, some nice and dirty riffs are given a bit of an airing at one point and more delicate atmospheric laden tendencies with a possible similarity to early 80's Eloy can be uncovered by the attentive listener too.
Everything is wrapped up in an accessible and appealing manner here, with appealing melodic lead vocals and a good balance between a gentle drive and an engaging atmosphere. Some of the tracks do fall through just a little bit in a live setting, in some cases because the energy present at the actual live performance just isn't one that will transfer over to a CD obviously. The recordings here also come across as fairly honest, and this may well be a case of a live album released without too much polish applied in the studio prior to release.
Conclusion.
Subsignal comes across as a good quality live band on this album, presenting accessible and appealing songs that for me at least strikes me as residing inside the more accessible corner of the hard progressive rock universe somewhere. A fine live album with an honest and well mixed sound, and one that should please existing fans as well as being a nice introduction to the band for those with a taste for a more melodic and accessible variety of hard progressive rock explored in a live setting.
Progmessor: January 2023
The Rating Room
