Style: progressive metal (clean vocals)
Recommended for fans of: Dream Theater, Fates Warning, Queensrÿche
Country: United States-NY
Release date: 19 July 2024
Thirty-one years ago, a forgotten progressive metal band Inner Strength released their debut, a classic 90s prog metal album sounding something like a heavier Enchant. Despite high-quality wailing cleans, technical, almost thrash-y riffing, and catchy vocal melodies, it’s hardly a surprise the New Yorkers never broke through given they sat on their hands for three decades (they did return in 2021 under the name Sunrise Dreamer, named after a song from the debut, but their muscles atrophied a bit). But now Scott Oliva—the only remaining founding member even at the time of 1993’s Shallow Reflections—decided to resurrect Inner Strength to perform “the album we might have made in 1991 if we had the skills and experience we have today.” Does over a quarter century to hone skills and let ideas marinate come through on Daydreaming in Moonlight?
Starting the album with the topical lyrics “Where we left off…” is pretty badass after so long, and it sets the stage for what’s to come. Daydreaming in Moonlight sounds like a time capsule, capturing the 90s prog metal effectively; importantly, this sounds like an Inner Strength album despite the generational hiatus. The chunky, bass-forward riffs are heavy and rocking like recent Fates Warning or Queensrÿche although the production is sleek with a modern hard rock edge. Guitarist Joe Marselle is the strongest performer and also the most retro with his keen ear for satisfying 90s melodies—particularly in his solos like at 3:30 in the title track—that just aren’t as common in progressive metal anymore, styling like a laid-back version of Petrucci. Justin Hosman’s bass also lays down a solid groove throughout the fifty-minute runtime, with his highlight in the almost Tool-like “Compelled,” his bass a presence like Justin Chancellor. The performers are all clearly skilled, but they don’t necessarily flaunt it like they used to.
On the whole, Daydreaming in Moonlight is a heck of a lot less energetic and technical than Shallow Reflections, Inner Strength relying more on atmosphere and simpler riffs to craft songs. The style doesn’t work quite as well, however, the frequent lack of progressive instrumentation making certain songs feel tepid (“Dearly Departed,” “Truth and Lies”). Stuttery progressive rhythms help the more mid-paced songs on occasion like “Face Another Hero,” but overall the album is more stereotypical than it should be of both prog metal and hard rock. Of course, to sound like you’re from the 90s you need some cliches like the saccharine guitar parts at the start of “Dearly Departed,” but Oliva’s vocals are the main hitch. His voice hasn’t aged super well, and he’s a bit rough around the edges now: a strained performance in the higher belting notes while also trying to sound gruff without success. He still writes solid vocal melodies (“Daydreaming in Moonlight,” “The Strength Within, Pt. 2”), but his range unsurprisingly isn’t what it was thirty years ago, and he writes lines as if he can still sing like that. When he leans into his falsetto or his melodic singing, he is far more successful than the tough-guy act.
For shaking off the rust, Daydreaming in Moonlight is a serviceable platter of prog metal, but I certainly hoped Inner Strength would have a bit more energy for their rebirth with thirty years to practice and compose. A standalone highlight would have done wonders, too, as the ten minute closer “The Strength Within, Pt. 2” just isn’t epic enough to be memorable. In an industry dominated by quick turnarounds, I don’t know that Inner Strength have what it takes to remain relevant even now that they’re returned from the dead. It’s possible, but this is underwhelming even for their retro-prog metal audience (myself included). They desperately need to find some of their youthful exuberance again.
Recommended tracks: Daydreaming in Moonlight, Compelled
You may also like: Enchant, Shadow Gallery, Thought Chamber, Sieges Even, Psychotic Waltz, Sunrise Dreamer, Dali’s Dilemma, Inner Vitriol
Final verdict: 6/10
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Official Website | Facebook | Metal-Archives page
Label: Divebomb Records – Bandcamp | Facebook | Official Website
Inner Strength is:
– Scott Oliva (vocals)
– Justin Hosman (bass)
– Joe Kirsch (drums)
– Joe Marselle (guitars)
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