Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Strange Land - Band Review


Strange Land is metal in progression, literally. This prog metal trio from Milwakee, WI, naturally writes in odd meters without analyzation. They compose and play without counting, a concept that is foreign to me. They have their own style but are in the ambience of a heavy Rush, Dream Theater and Kings X (especially the vocals). The following is their discography with the meteric breakdown from Sean Gill the guitarist.

Catharsis promo 2009
The Men Who Spent Tomorrow: 6/8, 4/4, 3/4
Asinine: 4/4, 5/4, 11/8 (6+5), 6/8
Evolve: 4/4, 7/4

Blaming Season 2005
Obliquity: mostly 4/4, but very syncopated
Cause and Defect: 5/8, 6/8, 4/4, 5/4, 3/4, 6/4, 3/8, 9/8
Marionette: 6/8, 4/4, 5/8, 7/4, highly syncopated
In a Mind: 6/4, 4/4, 7/8, 3/4
Dear Helena: 6/8, 22/8 (5+6+6+5), 4/4
Below the After: 4/4, 3/4, 15/4, 7/4, 7/8, 6/8

Anomaly:2001
All Things Considered: 7/4 (3+3+8), 4/4, 6/8, 3/4 (5-tuplets),
Foundation: 4/4, 13/8, 15/8 (3+3+4+5), 16/8 (3+3+5+5)
I Don't Know You Anymore: 11/8 (in a 4/4+3/8 feel), 12/8, 6/4, 5/4, 3/4, 9/8, 7/

As you can see the meter spectrum is well represented here. They are a progressively evolving band who has grown technically and creatively throughout their releases. I am digging their writing style which seems completely genuine, natural and flowing to me. They follow their instincts and come up with interesting and original parts. I look forward to their future releases.

For samples and more info, check out their most comprehensive site:

-BetZe13
OddTimeObsessed.com Tune in

.

1 comment:

Sean Gill said...

Thanks Betze! I'll get a full copy of Catharsis in the mail soon.