Sanvoisen--Soul Seasons

Sanvoisen--Soul Seasons (1997/Noise) Rating--8.3

This is a nice power/prog release, in the vein of some of the more stabilized Dream Theater work, a little early Queensryche, and maybe some Hollow in places. The rating gets kudos for being a '97 release; it would drop a little if it had entered the ring in '98. Though there are a couple of completely ripping and ecstatic tunes, the higher level that's recently been established in the power/prog community isn't consistent through-and-through. Not a huge knock, though---this is still strong fare.
The solid and paced "Spirits" opens the disc, and gives way next to the faster and chop-infested "Mindwars". An acoustic start sets the stage for a crunching chorus in "Behind My Dreams," and the album's strongest track is in the form of the slashing "Against the Fears," complete with a chugging backbone and some nasty harmonics.
"Broken Silence" has a real nice Spanish acoustic feel, and both "Waiting For the Rain" and "Somebody's Stolen My Name" are good.
This is the band's second release; look for continued improvement in the future.
TRACK LIST: Spirits/Mindwars/Behind My Dreams/The Difference/Soul Seasons/Against the Fears/Broken Silence/Waiting For the Rain/Somebody's Stolen My Name

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