UNTIL RAIN - The reign of dreams

I am delighted that Thessaloniki "turns" bands. I am even more delighted, cause those bands compose and produce greak music. Until Rain belong to that category and I am about to review their first album The reign of dreams. The band is progressive, capable to charm the fans of Savatage, Shadow Gallery, Dream Theater and Fates Warning.

The cover and booklet were designed by Mattias Norén (Stratovarius, Kamelot, Evergrey Epica, Ayreon, Petrucci, Circus Maximus). I don’t know how much it cost, but they did a praiseworthy investment. It is really important Noren to be part of a band’s first album. This collaboration proves that the band behave professionally and had a correct strategy, and I say that because music nowdays is business also, so everything matters.The album is a concept one and the story has to do with a wonan’s death and with a guy that fell in coma in Room 1716. I must admit taht when I heard the introduction (Epilogue part 1) the first thing that came to mind was Savatage and sweet piano compositions by Jon. While I was listening to the rest of the album I happily marked the overwhelming diversity of tracks. Tracks completely out of the aged logic of verses and choruses, the music "travels" the auditor from Oriental East to the Mediterranean, and then again to the East. That should say to not get bored but to stick to the chair and expect what is next. The only wrong is that the singer needs to coach a little bit more his voice and his English accent.

Regarding the production,I felt that something was wrong with the vocals. I am not saying that is bad, but it gives me the feeling that the vocal are out or line, not as part of the total song, of the total result. Also, a little bit more sound depth would be nice. Beyond those, the production the one that it should be, the instruments sound as they should and there no need to write more about that. Also a really strong point is the songs’ transition. The auditor will probably believe that listens to the previous song.

In conclusion, The reign of dreams is a really nice album with lots of variations without the tunes repeating themselves and that is objectively important because this is a progressive band on one hand, and on the other because unfortunately we have many releases that are "one the same". The errors are completely acceptable and by any means necessary for further evolution I strongly suggest to buy the album.

Tracks that stand out are the Reign of Dreams, Eerie, Rk