Sieges Even - Sense of Change (8 tracks) +Album Reviews

Neo-prog gem

Samuel A. Rhode | Minneapolis, MN USA | 03/03/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is an excellently executed album, although the Fates and Rush resemblance is a little too obvious in places. The new singer is better than the guy from Steps, but his melodies tend to become monotonous as he tries to work over the insane, assymetric rythm shifts that characterize this CD. As is the case with many bands of this ilk (ie, Watchtower), they need to learn to calm down in places and give the singer some room to work. That's not to say that this isn't a good album--just that the vocals suffer because the band is so hellbent on being extremely complex all the time. The musicianship is top notch, and the singer is really good--he's just in a tight spot. If you're into Fates or Rush, or even to a lesser extent the Police, this album should interest you."

Say Goodbye To Rush, Fates Warning, Queensryche

Fingolfin | 11/08/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"SE with new great singer, great atmospheric songs in the FW style, though..... MUCH AND MUCH better, extreme time and mood shifts, all played with extreme craftmanship, great rhythm section. For fans of Watchtower & above mentioned.... HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! There's no life without this album"

Not what I expected from the reviews

Brian | Washington DC | 10/06/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD based on the numerous 5 star reviews I read here. All I can say is, it didn't strike me the way it struck those other reviewers. I enjoy Rush, Fates Warning and Queensryche - as so many reviewers drew parallels to these bands. Are there similarities - yes, but I'll take the originals over Sieges Even pretty much any day.

There's talent here - no question about the musicianship of the members of this band, but for the song construction - it wanders and is littered with 'noodling' and constant tempo and key changes that after a while, just flat out became irritating. It seemed that just when a song began to coalesce, some needless key change, or irritating noodle would mess the composition up. I got sick of it. It seemed that there were constant changes just for that reason - no intrinsic value at all.

Quite frankly, if you want to buy this CD, I'll be selling mine on Amazon Marketplace pretty soon - cheap -.

This CD was just plain irritating."

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!

Anonymous | San Francisco, CA | 02/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sieges Even 'A Sense of Change' is an absolute progressive Tour de Force of a recording. In what ranks in one of my top 5 favorite progressive metal CDs I've ever heard, this mid-period recording from the German quartet will take you from the highly complex to the extremely melodic and everything else in between. The song writing is superb, the musicians are top-notch and the production is absolutely crystal clear. Those looking to whet their "metal" roots will not find that characteristic here. Instead, this recording contains more of a fusion or lighter-mood approach, mainly led by the ala'-Alex-Lifeson (Rush) sound & brilliant arpeggio guitar work of axeman, Markus Steffen. And as a fellow drummer, I can't think of a better musical and "part-oriented" drummer as Alex Holzswarth (outside of Mark Zonder from Fates Warning). Jogi Kaiser, vocalist, creates plentiful melodies that still causes the "chill machine" to kick in when I listen to the CD (which makes me wonder why he wasn't used on any other future Sieges Even recordings). For those looking for the complex arrangements (with great melodic structure as well), try tracks such as "The Waking Hours," "Behind Closed Doors," and "Prime." And for a journey through the light orchestral quartet sounds, try the poignant "Change of Seasons" (wow, those lyrics KILL me!).

But, what would a review be without some warning shots fired, right!? I must admit, when I first listened to this CD, I was a bit irritated by the little extra musical "tags" put at the end of every phrase. The songs are very busy and loaded with constant changes, but what completely outweighs those would-be-negative characteristics is the presence of great SONG underneath all the "fluff" in every track. Each tune has a memorable chorus, great lyrics with excellent melodies and very creative/melodic musical parts as well, despite all the busy part-writing. It's a tough listen at first, but when it hits, it knocks you over like a ton of bricks. And to support some critical ears out there, this recording is blatently reminiscent of Rush in all it's glory (especially Steffen's obvious similar style & sound to Alex Lifeson). However, if you can see past the extreme similarities (OK, some may say EXACT similarities), you'll hopefully become settled with the fact that this is where Rush SHOULD be today from a song-writing/compositional perspective. Even with the comparisons, Sieges has a style all their own and a song-writing strength to convince even the nay-sayer of progressive metal! Go out and get this NOW!"

Peak Of The Band

Fingolfin | Greece | 09/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With A Sense Of Change Sieges Even created their masterpiece.The songs feature a lot of technical playing by the guitarist of SE,as well as a very solid rythm section by the Holzwarth brothers. However the singer of the band really makes the difference and gives the band a really artistic air. He later left the band to study opera but in this album his contribution is evident. Thus the orchestrations of the songs have an undeniable edge and the two songs in which a string quartet plays too are diamonds. Add to this the other songs too and you've got a winner"

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CD Details

CD Reviews

	Sieges Even Sense of Change Genres: Pop, Rock, Metal Track Listings (8) - Disc #1 Prelude: Ode to Sisyphus The Waking Hours Behind Closed Doors Change of Seasons - Sieges Even, Steffen, Markus Dimensions Prime Epigram for the Last Straw - Sieges Even, Holwarth, Alex These Empty Places
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