Band : Arch/Matheos
Album title : Sympathetic Resonance
Label : Metal Blade Records
Distributor : Rough Trade Benelux.
Release Date : 09/09/2011
Release : CD

Jim Matheos, current guitarist from progressive rock combo Fates Warning and John Archer former vocalist of Fates Warning joined forces for this release.  Now I admit I haven’t been following the career from Fates Warning closely, but I remember buying their first album ‘Night On Bröcken’ in the early eighties, when progressive rock or metal was an upcoming genre.  So you could say that these two guys, together with Dream Theater and Queensrÿche were the founding fathers of the prog genre.

As such, it’s quite obvious what type of music you’ll find on this CD, progressive metal indeed it is.
And I must say that the album does not disappoint me. Despite there being only six tracks on the album, the total playing time of the album clocks of at > 50 minutes.  Technically this is prog rock at the highest level, and to fully appreciate the complexity of the music this album requires a few listening.
So musically this is a very good prog release. What you either dig, or dig not, is the way Mr. Arch sings.  You like or you like not, it’s that simple. His style of singing is just like Geoff Tate from Queensrÿche, so with quite a high pitched voice. I personally like it a lot.

If you’re into prog rock, and are a fan of the above-mentioned bands, this CD is definitely something for  you.

90/100

Erik Morren.