(progressive metal) The Quiet Room - Reconceive - 2000, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

I consider myself to be very open-minded. In the late '90s, a lot of prog metal bands sounded very Dream Theater/Fates Warning-esque, and anyone in any aspect of the music industry (that's smart) will tell you that the industry is a game of niches and filling them. Obviously some niches are much larger than others, which is what eventually becomes the mainstream. In progressive metal, the mainstream pretty much begins and ends with Queensryche and Dream Theater, and like any "mainstream" aspect of a music genre, it will be copied countless times over. The bands that either make real waves or go tragically unnoticed, are the ones that add elements to their sound to make something truly unique and yet still enjoyable.
(from http://metal-archives.com)

Upon hearing this CD, you understand where the progressive metal elements come from, especially if you've heard the previous CD. But this CD is representative of a band in transition. Take the keyboard and 7-string guitar-driven sound of Dream Theater's heaviest material, and give it some incredible groove-infused drumming and some really percussive bass-playing...almost like the nu-metal sound that was becoming all the rage of the time. Now throw in a replacement vocalist who while being utterly capable of pulling off the range of the band's previous material, also has a much more gruff delivery, and you have a progressive metal band that really doesn't sound like any other progressive metal band.

To me, this CD encompasses everything I look for in a metal CD which is why I've rated it so high. The CD is REALLY heavy, the songs are super-catchy not only in terms of vocal patterns, but also in terms of riffage. The music is also very busy...a lot going on with all the various elements meshing together. The mix job is also rather good, although maybe not as sonically-brilliant as many other bands, which might contribute to why this CD and band never really got the attention I think they deserve. To me, it's the full package. I love it so much I bought a second copy just to make sure I always have one.

(from http://metal-archives.com)

Pete Jewell - vocals
Jason Boudreau - guitars and backing vocals
George Glasco - guitars
Jeff Janeczko - keyboards and piano
Rob Munshower - bass
Graeme Wood - drums and backing vocals