Sieges Even started out on their journey as a standout progressive thrash band during the late Eighties and early Nineties. Their first two albums prompted several very apt comparisons to Watchtower. However, as the band e... more »volved, they broadened their sound and garnered favorable comparisons to bands like Rush. Now with the release of their new CD (and their first for IOMA), Sieges Even continues with its sophisticated direction shift to give us The Art of Navigating By the Stars. Fueled by the powerful rhythm section of the Brothers Holzwarth, Oliver and Alex (who have also recorded with Blind Guardian, Demons and Wizards, and Rhapsody), Sieges Even prepare for their formal re-introduction to the American market.« less
Sieges Even started out on their journey as a standout progressive thrash band during the late Eighties and early Nineties. Their first two albums prompted several very apt comparisons to Watchtower. However, as the band evolved, they broadened their sound and garnered favorable comparisons to bands like Rush. Now with the release of their new CD (and their first for IOMA), Sieges Even continues with its sophisticated direction shift to give us The Art of Navigating By the Stars. Fueled by the powerful rhythm section of the Brothers Holzwarth, Oliver and Alex (who have also recorded with Blind Guardian, Demons and Wizards, and Rhapsody), Sieges Even prepare for their formal re-introduction to the American market.
"Sieges Even are basically a new band to me, although I have heard a small portion of their earlier releases. TAONBTS, is a mature and exceptional composition. The musicianship is of the highest caliber, these guys can PLAY, and the vocalist along with the vocal harmonies are sublime. Also this maybe the most wonderfully produced album I have ever heard. The production rivals Steven Wilson of PT (who I regard as the best producer working today.) It feels like Sieges Even really put everything into this album,it certainly IMHO is one of the best releases of 2005. The lyrics(which are included) are superb,when words make me think and ponder I am truly impressed. If you like music that has something to say and is conveyed beautifully.make no mistake this is sublime.Peace."
A Refreshing Surprise!
Russ Bellinger | Bradenton, Florida USA | 04/22/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These guys really surprised me. I had never heard of the band before and from what I've read I may not have liked their earlier CDs, but with "The Art of Navigating by the Stars" they really have accomplished something. They have created a masterpiece. I put off purchasing this CD for several months after purchasing the newest Riverside CD and being a bit disappointed. However this CD is nothing like that. It is brilliant in it's depth and scope. The vocals are simply some of the best I've heard in some time. Great vocals and lyrics. The playing is precise and very inspired. This CD reminds me of something along the lines of Glass Hammer's "Lex Rex" only without the story line. Each piece is singularly woven to the next. All I can say is that I'm sorry I didn't pick this one up last fall (2005) when it was released. Highly recommended."
A Nice Listen
Jeffrey D. Elsenheimer | Lake Hamilton,FL USA | 05/21/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I like this, quite a bit actually. Very well- written, executed, balance of quiet and powerful. Reminds me somewhat of the Flower Kings without some of the extended musical forrays (which some I enjoy!) Also there is a hint of 90's era King Crimson: the quiet, arpeggiated guitar lines. There are no keys, which can be a good thing. Don't get me wrong, I'm a big sucker for melotron music, but sometimes I feel songs can become quite cluttered by an over- ambitious keyboard player. The guitar is pretty basic, but effective and the songs are well- constructed, with interesting lyrics (no drivel) and plenty of time signature changes to keep things interesting. Nice vocals and harmonies (a hint of older Yes.) I like a recording that leaves me with a good feeling and this one certainly does!"
Sieges Even returns with a masterpiece
Murat Batmaz | Istanbul, Turkey | 09/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The last time Sieges Even released something was in 1997. After the Uneven album, the band took a break, and the band members focused on different musical projects or had brief stints with other bands like Paradox and Blind Guardian. Back in 2000, however, the core lineup of Sieges Even reformed under the Val'Paraiso moniker without a vocalist. They cut two demos but what they produced seemed to reek heavily of the trademark Sieges Even sound, so the band reformed and began to seek a fitting vocalist. Enter Dutch singer Arno Menses, originally a drummer in the Netherlands, but his role in Sieges Even is completely fixed in the vocal department. Menses' vocal style has certainly injected new life into the band, as he is far from a hired gun brought in just to sing the lyrics. He seems to have taken a huge role in the songwriting process, defining the melodious edge of the band. The new songs encompass plenty of choruses packed with a passionate and soulful vocal delivery.
The Art of Navigating by the Stars is a long-form composition divided into eight movements, plus a short intro track. These movements, or sequences as they are named in the booklet, are all parts of a huge 63-minute song, linked through various key themes and motifs. A bit like Fates Warning's A Pleasant Shade of Gray in this respect, the songs use common motifs, best noticed on "The Weight", "Stigmata", and "Styx". The same melody line "The view from here is frightening" is repeated in each song together with Oliver Holzwarth's articulate bass riff, tying them together and lending the album a sense of unity. The writing is very cohesive throughout, utilising an array of influences that venture into both 7-string and classical guitar from Markus Steffen, who also boldly explores jazz and fusion category. His playing is no where near as busy as the older Sieges Even material, however. He is more focused on a song-oriented approach, and tries to escape any extended interplay that might have rendered the tracks meaningless. Still, there are several instrumental sections on the album executed with perfect harmony between the Holzwarth brothers and Steffen. "Unbreakable" is one of the strongest numbers for its progressive and innovative nature. After a midtempo start that is built around acoustic guitars and furious bass, there is a smooth instrumental breakdown where Alex Holzwarth's cymbal work is at its shining best and Markus Steffen's improvised jazz solo is intense. Arno Menses' vocal layering completes the track with an emotionally exhausting performance that reaches into the depths of the soul.
"The Weight", the longest song with 10 minutes, is also the heaviest. The dynamics of this song are flawless and the production is easily the best in Sieges Even's entire back catalog. Oliver Holzwarth proves to be one of the most underrated yet technical bassists in Germany, producing swift shifts between heavy and mellow melodies that allow Arno Menses to come up with staggering vocal harmonies. The chorus of "Stigmata" is utterly infectious, filled with a rich harmony layered on top of Steffen's continuous guitar theme, which is repeated over and over until the listener is immersed in its plaintive churning. The song, however, reaches its apex when the recurring theme resurfaces at the end with Menses' amazing singing. Again, originally a song from the Val'Paraiso demo, "The Lonely Views of Condors" follows a similar pattern. Atmosphere is generated by the melodic quality of Steffen's guitar riffs and textural melodies that do a great job without the need for a keyboard player. This song is loaded with a fantastic chorus that resolves the dense mood and lets Menses express himself with a masterful vocal melody at the very end. Those interested in Alex Lifeson meets Allan Holdsworth type of guitar playing will be pleased when they hear the classical guitar theme on "Blue Wide Open" or the fusion solo on "To Those Who Have Failed". Markus Steffen is an incredible songwriter with immense feel and invaluable dexterity.
Surely this has been one of the most anticipated comeback albums of the year, and it has more than fulfilled its aim. Sieges Even are no longer the ultra-technical prog metal act squeezing as many notes as possible in every song, and therefore may surprise some of their older fanbase. However, they have returned with an equally innovative piece of work and their best vocalist in their entire career. With a move to Inside Out, the future should only bring them more exposure and luck. It does take several spins for the music to grow on you, but it is definitely worth the effort."
Not overly impressed - overprocessed, redundant and and fair
Mr. Smarty | Bennington, VT | 08/09/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I listen to a lot of prog and have for over 20 years. This CD was in my car player for abour 3 months and I have probably listened to it over 20 times. The first thing that I noticed was that the vocals and lead guitar are heavily overprocessed with gobs and gobs of "chorus" effect - and not always tastefully so. It is applied liberally to everything on every song. Bands that overprocess generally are trying to compensate for something. The main theme of the album is just ok, and it gets repeated until you think you are just hearing the same song over and over. The songwriting and composition of the music to me seems uninspired and often appears forced with deliberate complexity that just doesn't flow naturally. It's good prog rock but not the sort of thing I will have in my favorites list or listen to again down the road."