(Progressive Power Metal) Odd Dimension - Discography [2 Albums] 2011-2013, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

As a progressive metal band trying to gain mass in Italy where the sound seems to be the climaxing cash crop, Odd Dimension comes out of nowhere and unleashes "Symmetrical" like it's an atomic bomb filled with stardust and the Aurora Borealis. These guys are at the top of the ladder; they're easily one of the most exciting and promising metal bands currently on the rise. "Symmetrical" is chock-full of progressive metal cooked over a pristine glaze of phenomenal instrumentation with some of the most intricate ideas one could ever find in progressive music. Hell, I'm willing to say "Symmetrical" might be one of the best debuts this sub-genre has ever seen.

Odd Dimension's sound reminds me of old-school prog that thrived in the early 1990s when Dream Theater or Fates Warning were in control, mainly because their style follows the same characteristics, although "Symmetrical" shows traces of a very unique band despite its genetic predisposition. Odd Dimension takes bizarre riffs spiced in grooving metal and asphyxiates the listener in unconventional time-signatures, virtuosic guitar work, prominent melodies, and splicing heaviness. The qualities they enlist per track are limited, yet Odd Dimension execute each in an intelligent and filling manner loaded with the riffs, leads, and hooks to keep any prog-nut drooling. Manuel Candiotto plays a pivotal role in the album's direction as well, displaying an ambidextrous voice that ties together the piping keyboards with the jamming rock influence wonderfully. The atmosphere they create is simply surreal, not to mention the technical instrumentality never withers unlike Spastic Ink knock-offs that shred for the sake of shredding. These guys can use forsaken algorithms for the sake of doing so, yet still obtain a sense of melody and catchiness; that's not something that comes every sunrise.

It may not sound very dynamic or original, but Odd Dimension has cracked a hidden energy of excellence and heart that glides into "Symmetrical" with an uncharted amount of strength; it really needs to be heard to be believed. The album opens with "Farewell To The Stars," a classic prog-metal meal showcasing odd time-signatures, snazzy keyboards, technical bass work, and explosive vocals. The band begins to incorporate soft interludes during "The Day Meets The Night" while holding on to their signature traits, but at the same time it's clear they're just having a great time rocking out with sci-fi keyboards and jamming grooves throughout "I'll Be Back Once More", another amazing tune layered in so many memorable moments I don't think I can list them all. Progressive metal doesn't get any better than something like the emotional soloing and Yes-influenced keyboards that whip through "Light Speed Journey" among the soaring riffs and high-flying vocals that bring the stars into the listener’s headphones.

It's amazing how Odd Dimension's style can appeal to the lighter side of musicality, yet somehow they turn the formula into a vibrant shell of radiance that shines beyond the spectrum of color and ignites a new frontier in progressive music. Whether or not this record will get the appreciation it deserves will come in time, but its outcome will never tarnish Odd Dimension's uprising into becoming one of the best progressive metal bands in Italy, and quite possibly the world. Odd Dimension is speeding through the galaxy faster than light can comprehend, so you better grab on now or you'll miss this shooting star that one day might become a supernova.

Remember how Odd Dimension took the world by storm back in 2011 with that awesome "Symmetrical" album? Oh wait, most folks were too busy talking about hipster dirt like Liturgy or whatever half-assed crap Machine Head had puked up for their doltish fans. "Symmetrical", other than the low interest, proved to be the finest debut of that year in my humble opinion; Odd Dimension had put on a show that even rivaled progressive legends like Dream Theater. Two years later, the Italians returned with "The Last Embrace To Humanity", and while it's not on the same godly plateau as their original effort, it's still a nice collection of above-average progressive metal boasting an abundance of coherent songwriting and instrumental flexibility. They show some different shades of style here, and it's relieving to know Odd Dimension is no one-trick pony.

Odd Dimension's design of progressive metal is a lot like Dream Theater's and Fates Warning's. Throughout "Symmetrical", Odd Dimension hadn't tried anything outlandish or experimental, but instead produced an album that was direct, honest, and definitely worthy of its running time. "The Last Embrace To Humanity" shows the group venturing into a broader sense of the progressive label, featuring introspective anthems à la Fates Warning's "Inside Out" and the heavy, riff-based beatings of their first release. It appears they chose to rely less on the straightforward, driving guitar work of "Symmetrical" and that record's animated structure for a more modern, generalized album. It overall feels less ambitious, but "The Last Embrace To Humanity" shows several fine facets of Odd Dimension and some new surprises, too.

"Symmetrical" had avoided ballad-type anthems like the plague, but "The Last Embrace To Humanity" instead embraces the concept of emotionally-driven music and themes. "Dissolving Into The Void" leans into the feelings a bit more than any of its preceding numbers, and "It's So Late" is a piano-driven, soft guitar-laced break from the heaviness. Then they hit "Another Time", another tender tune. It gets a little old at this point; thankfully they can it and get back to basics shortly thereafter. All three tunes are actually quite reasonable, and Michele Luppi of Secret Sphere adds some guest vocals on "It's So Late" that prove to be swell. The band's most interesting component happens to be Manuel Candiotto's voice, which, again, is an anomaly of sorts in the realm of contemporary vocalists. His tone and register are unique, but they fit well into the group's dynamic, and Candiotto delivers an excellent performance.

However, the heavier tunes that appear to have been rooted in the soils of "Symmetrical" are the best: "The Unknown King", "Under My Creed" and "Far From Desire" manage to scratch the surface of Odd Dimension's debut with startling accuracy. "The Last Embrace To Humanity" is, indeed, a bit of a slump compared to the piece that had come before it, yet Odd Dimension is still more than capable of remaining consistent and powerful during their journeys into progressive power. A little change never hurt anyone, and I'm glad Odd Dimension churned out a record that refused to replicate the past, instead morphing, evolving, challenging the fundamentals of growth. Stick to "Symmetrical", then head this way.