(Progressive Metal) Art Of Simplicity - Caught In This I Less Storm - 2007, MP3, 320 kbps

Surprise — another fantastic progressive metal release from Greece! Art Of Simplicity even shares the former violinist of the fantastic Wastefall — also a band that you should definitely check out. The music here is much more off-the-wall and, at times, almost feels like a free-form jazzy jam.

"Vigil" takes the listener by storm. George Eikosipentakis seems to be another vocalist influenced by the likes of Daniel Gildenlow (similar to the Wastefall vocalist), yet his performance is surprisingly emotive and fun to listen to. Guitarist Aris Markogiannakis really did an incredible job with this material as well, switching from heavy chord-structures for choruses, to wah-pedal jammin'!

Violinist Matthew Dakoutros also holds a grand stand within the band, as his violin is broken out almost as often for solos as Markogiannakis' guitar. The violin is used more often during verses, bridges, and even choruses, however. The music can be exciting, and branch into more mellow waters... It can be triumphant, yet just as easily transition into a saddening progression similar to the type made famous by bands like Pain Of Salvation and Dark Suns, among others.

Caught In This Iless Storm, to say the very least, is an incredible debut from a band that shows a ton of promise. It's obvious that these guys fit together stupendously, and the musicianship is very impressive. Art of Simplicity sound like they've been together for a decade, but they've only just begun.

(from http://www.maelstrom.nu)

George Ikosipentakis - vocals
Aris Markogiannakis - guitars and backing vocals
Matthew Dakoutros - violin
Elias Nousis - keyboards and backing vocals, tenor sax on 6
Alexandros Papanastasatos - bass
Nick Miras - drums
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Nikitas Tsiouvelis and Athina Kamariti - additional vocals on 6