Style: progressive rock, traditional prog metal (clean vocals)
Review by: Dylan
Country: Canada
Release date: 29-10-2018
[EDITOR’S NOTE: This review was originally published in the October 2018 issue of The Progressive Subway.]
Wew, now this is quite a beefy record. Upon first listen I had no idea what to write here. There’s just so much going on, 66 minutes length, including a 5 track epic? Yeah, it was gonna take more than one listen to “get” this record. I am however very happy to report that this is an album that rewards multiple listens. The more I listen to it the more I find things to appreciate, and I still want to go back to it a couple times before moving on to something else.
Universe Effects is a fusion of Seventh Wonder’s prog power with Karnivool’s chilled out somber-ish prog rock. This means that the album is full of energy, with a sense of somberness surrounding it. Epic, yet not over the top. Powerful, yet still vibrant and beautiful when it needs to be. Plenty of technical goodies, backed up by solid hooks. All of this makes a lengthy release not tiring at all.
The production is very good, everything sounds crisp and clean with every instrument having plenty of room to breathe. The keys here are a highlight, with some awesome soloing throughout the record. The drumming is pretty simple yet perfect for what the record sets out to do. The vocalist has some awesome roaring highs, but he does struggle a bit to pull of convincing mid register lines. They sound a bit… nasally? I guess that’s the best way to describe it. They’re far from unlistenable but leave a bit to be desired.
A great addition for traditional prog fans, one I’d recommend to anyone.
Recommended tracks: The Library pt. III, V
Recommended for fans of: Karnivool, Seventh Wonder
Final verdict: 8.5/10
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Official Website | Facebook | RYM page
Label: Independent
Universe Effects is:
– Gabriel Antoine Vallée (vocals)
– Gabriel Cyr (guitars)
– Philippe Pouliot (drums)
– Dominic Tapin-Brousseau (bass)
– Francis Grégoire (keyboards, orchestration)
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