Playgrounded - Athens
Greek prog rockers Playgrounded were formed back in 2007 and have a successful back catalogue of support slots including Rotting Christ, Archive's Craig Walker and Anathema. Following on from that, the band focused on recording their first album and worked alongside Grammy award winning Ted Jensen (Muse, Dream Theater and Deftones) to master it.
The band chose to name their debut release Athens as an acknowledgment to the social unrest Greece is suffering following on from the economical crisis. This tribute is reflected in the dark atmospheric music that is clearly emotionally driven. This is an EP that is testimony to a country and its youth in crises and contains 5 prog rock tracks that could become classics once they've had a bit more work. They are musically well crafted and Jensen has worked miracles behind the scenes on the soundboard.
Given the fact that this is the bands first release, it grabbed my attention right from the title track and kept me there, taking me on a journey through melancholic ambience and dreamy progressiveness. There is no cheese hidden beneath the emotional heights and Stavros Markonis vocals are incredible captivating the audience with the sparkly yet dark atmosphere. I can't help but liken them to Tool and Dream Theater.
Western Sunday is a well balanced track, building up the atmosphere slowly before the drama and power kicks in. The music is not complicated and Morning Smoke easily combines piano delicacy with big passages that are hugely powerful.
There is a natural zen about this EP with the soft vocals almost melting into the exquisite instrumentals, occasionally beefed up with heavier clouds but always in perfect harmony with a melancholic undertone.
At just over half an hour in length, there is no time wasted with this EP and it contains no unnecessary padding. Athens is everything that is good about prog metal. It is a complete aural treat with no silly dramatics. Rather, it enters our minds with a full range of perfectly blended sounds creating wonderful atmospheres