10

Something different but still very metal

Wastefall hail from Greece and were formed in 2003 by Alex Katsiyiannis and Domenik Papaemmanouil. After releasing two albums on the Sleaszy Rider label, 'Falling Stars and Rising Scars' and 'Soulrain 21', the band struck a deal with Sensory Records and present the public with their third album 'Self Exile'.

Their style is a cross between progressive and technical metal, more in line with Pain of Salvation and Devin Townsend than Dream Theater or Age of Nemesis. With the absence of musical wankery, their progressive ideas are born from the structures, breaks and instrumental layers in each of the tracks. Like Israel's Orphaned Land, Greek rockers Wastefall allow their cultural influences to add that extra spice to their music. In the imaginatively titled 'Intro', the male vocal line adds depth and atmosphere when backed with a still keyboard sound and gusting wind. 'The Muzzle Affection' contains a gorgeous female vocal track as does 'E.Y.E'. But these ideas are used sparingly and so have a great impact when used in the music. 'Dance of Descent' is as catchy as music can get. It utilises the eastern style influences of their own culture, bundling them into a hugely likeable sound bite. It is ideas such as this that make the ears prick up and listen. Ideas that make you sit back and appreciate the thought that's gone into this collection of tunes.

At the heart of the album is the wonderful 'Sleepwalk'. As is suggested by the title, it is a slow but melancholy tune containing only a few keyboards, a looped drum track and that engaging female backing. Vocalist Domenic Papaemmanouil excels on this track, sounding not dissimilar to Marillions Steve Hogarth. The middle of the song has a genuinely moving section contain a piano, a crying woman and Domenic's rich voice. An unsuspected treat if ever there was one.

But don't get me wrong, Wastefall have that gritty edge that keeps the metal fans happy. It is the biggest appeal of this disc, because as well as all the extra glitter, keyboards and samples, the album has plenty of chunk. 'E.Y.E's introduction is something that could have come from the Nevermore camp, and opener 'Willow Man' has that Dry Kill Logic viciousness about it. My only criticism is that Wastefall have that regular habit of coming up with a stellar start and then slowing it all down for the verse, a very nu-metal and outdated idea. But don't let this nu-metal comparison put you off. 'Self Exile' is a great and diverse listen from start to finish. Some songs will take longer to sink in than others. But when you have listened to many bands who only have a couple of decent tunes (Soil), or write a whole album that sounds all the same, (Drowning Pool) then 'Self Exile' is breath of fresh air. It's innovative, interesting and deserves probably more success than it will inevitably receive.

So if you're looking for a harder hitting 'Orphaned Land,' a more consistent band than 'Breed 77,' or indeed after a something that is very metal but is just a little more than your usual 3 minute, verse chorus verse chorus fare, then Wastefall maybe the band to satisfy your proggy metal cravings. Not totally earth shattering but a great listen from start to finish.