Search - Time Machine :: Reviviscence

Intelligent and accessible progressive metal...who knew?

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 03/24/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Reviviscence (Liber Secundus) is the 2004 release by long-running Italian progressive metal band Time Machine. Despite a career stretching back to the early 90's, this album was my first encounter with Time Machine's music. As is the case with a lot of modern progressive metal bands, I hear a distinct Dream Theater influence in Time Machine's sound. I also hear bits and pieces of Threshold, Fates Warning, Labyrinth and Pain of Salvation.



Unlike a lot of bands that get tagged with the progressive metal label (when they're essentially power metal bands with lots of keyboards), Time Machine is an honest to God progressive metal band, and a damned good one at that. Instead of trying to dazzle the listener with 12-minute solo-fests, you get the sense that the band went to great lengths to make the entire album a truly progressive experience. In addition to the expected technical metal intricacies, there is an impressive underlying theological concept, intelligent lyrics, lush atmosphere, and powerful vocals. With this album, Time Machine proves that it is possible to make a high concept technical metal album and still remain focused on writing actual songs that can stand on their own merits.



Obviously, I was quite impressed with Reviviscence (Liber Secundus), and will definitely be checking out other Time Machine releases in the future. This is a very smart metal album that should appeal especially to fans of older Pain of Salvation material.

"