Year : 2020
Style : Melodic Progressive Metal
Country : Norway
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 101 mb
Bio:
MINDTECH is metal act from Norway (formerly known as Beyond Flames).Founded 2007, a gathering of some of Norway's greatest musicians, for a brutal, heavy and a melodic metal package.!!!In some ways, the reason for these guys to team up for this band, is a progressive metal band called Tritonus. It was formed back in 1989, by guitar player Carl Tidemann (later known for his participation in groups such as ARCTURUS and WINDS). The first constellation didn't last that long, so after a couple of years, Carl started to look for other guys to play with. At the same time ('91), a thrash trio, consisting of Thor-Axel Eriksen (Guitars), Øystein Moe (Bass) and Øystein Borge Hansen (Drums) were looking for a guitar player. Carl got the gig, and ANCORA was born. But the "trash" direction faded for more progressive metal elements. The TRITONUS name was picked up again, and the "Shadowland" demo was released in 1994. It actually got great reviews in various magazines, and resulted in 2 new tracks on the "A Gathering of 8 Norwegian Progressive Metal Bands" sampler in 1995. Drummer Øystein had been replaced by Hellhammer (Mayhem/Winds/Dimmu) at first, but the drum stool was finally taken by Ole Devold. With Rolf Kristensen on vocals and Andre Saeter (later replaced by Lasse Finbråten, now in CIRCUS MAXIMUS) on keyboards, they wrote songs for an album, almost made a deal with a German label, but just didn't make things happen. After years of rehearsing and writing, Thor-Axel left the band in 2000 for various reasons. This would later be the seed for a new band; BEYOND FLAMES, now known as MINDTECH.Late 2005, Thor-Axel pursued his old band mates, drummer Ole Devold and bass player Øystein Moe, for participation on a new metal project. The decision to ask Ole Devold and Øystein Moe was a natural one for Thor-Axel, as they had been a perfect fit in the TRITONUS days. They both agreed to play on the songs, and with this is mind, Thor-Axel started writing the music. He was determined to make an album, with 10-12 songs. Brutal riffs, but with great melody-lines. 4-5 minutes songs and not with the "show-off" attitude that can be found in some progressive metal acts. To achieve the most heavy sound there is, extended scale guitars were used on the first demos, later to be replaced by 7-strings, tuned down a whole step to an A. But the most important thing was to write great songs, and secondary, a great album.As the songs were written, they appeared rather diverse, and lyrically with a similar theme: Warfare. On the first demos for the songs, vocals were done by Thor-Axel, in lack of other alternatives. But that was soon about to change.In early 2007, drummer Ole then suggested his band mate from TAARN, bass player Aslak J. Johnsen for the lead singer slot. Aslak is a professional musician with a lot of experience, and he laid down the vocal tracks for a couple of songs (Lords of War and Fear). He got the gig of course, and has become an important part of the Mindtech sound -- the same way as Ole Devold has been a great resource arrangement-wise.
Album:
Alright folks, here's the deal - if you are a fan of bands in the likes of STRATOVARIUS, DARKWATER and CIRCUS MAXIMUS, much like yours truly - this album will fit right in your alley."Omnipresence" is MINDTECH's second full-length record to date. Throughout the entire album, the Norwegian unit pulled out the heaviest guns they could, and thoroughly delivered an album that incorporates the elements that brought major names in the Nordic Power Metal scene to their current reputation, while still maintaining a certain flow that gives the songs a more progressive feel. One of the most noticeable elements discussed is Mathias Indergård's vocal timbre and vocal lines presented. Mathias has a very specific, northern-European tone - very clear and punctual. This aids creating the melodies necessary for this style of music. Overall, the melodies on this record are relatively expected, but not overall rememberable in terms of ingenuity and novelty - quite a "been there, done that" song structure and direction.Although MINDTECH clearly didn't discover a new horizon for the genre, there are also an abundance of positives lurking beneath the shadows of "Omnipresence". The guitar work, especially in the intersections and solos, is both interesting and cunning. Both Eriksen and Belseth laid down groovy and masterful jams throughout the entire record. If I had to be specific though, the solos in "These Are The Days", "Through The Veil" and "Brahman". Speaking of "Brahman", it is also the song in which I found the tastiest and fieriest riffs on the album. Bassist Ola Øverli introduces us to the track with a down-slide, further led by progressive sections accompanied by the guitar duo. Overall, everything composition-wise does seem to flow together quite well on "Omnipresence", which the occasional mean repetitive griding break-downs that add little to the assortment, but is still quite pleasurable to the ears.In short, my impression of MINDTECH's "Omnipresence" is a similar one to what DARKWATER's "Human" would become - a solid effort to reintroduce the band back out of obscurity, but not quite entirely there. It does feel like the path is still lingering in ambiguous ambience for MINDTECH though, so it wouldn't be unwise to expect a reimbursed MINDTECH release in the upcoming future. For the time being, though, enjoy "Omnipresence" for what it is - a fun and energetic Power Metal song collection with slight hinges of progressive nuances, created by a group of very talented Nordic musicians.
Line Up:
Mathias Molund Indergård - Vocals
Thraxl - Guitars, Bass (2008-2014), Guitars (2014-present) - See also: Quadrivium, Tritonus
Marius Belseth - Guitars (2010-present)
Ola A. Øverli - Bass (2014-present)
Ole Devold - Drums (2008-present) - See also: Tritonus
Tracklist:
01. The Path of the Sages Part I: The Big Question
02. The Path of the Sages Part II: The Lotus Eyed
03. The Path of the Sages Part III: Unity
04. These Are the Days
05. The Journey
06. Standing Tall
07. Brahman
08. Through the Veil
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
