(progressive metal) Soul Cages - Moments - 1996, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Soul Cages followed their debut release with a disc that upped the ante on every level. When you consider that their debut was a very impressive disc, you understand the enormity of what was accomplished with their sophomore effort.
Review by Matthew Braymiller

This disc comes off with a very precise and mature sound. It could be compared, musically, to Perfect Symmetry or Parallels from Fates Warning. The tight and unpredictable rhythm changes that punctuate the disc are very reminiscent of Fates Warning's style of sudden change. The sound is also more laid back and relaxed. The focus is more on the melody. It becomes evident in the singing that a lot of attention was given to the melody of the song and the vocal parts. Consequently some of the edge present of the self titled debut is missing here. If anything it makes the sound even more progressive. There is more attention paid to the vocals and the interweavings of the voices become more complex. The atmosphere and ambience of the sound is heightened too. The two guitars are used to weave separate melodies into a whole.

The song writing is as thoughtful and thought provoking as on the debut. The lyrics rely on symbols and imagery to convey their intent to you. The lyrics fit with the tenor of the songs very well. The atmospheric sound carries the emotion of the words which is expressed very clearly by the singers.

The bottom line is that this is a fantastic disc. Any fan of progressive metal or progressive rock is going to like this. It is intelligent and very well presented.
Review by Matthew Braymiller

Thorsten Staroske - lead vocals and guitars
Knut Nitschke - guitars
Stephan Tigges - bass and backing vocals
Jorg Nitschke - drums
Beate Kuhbier - backing vocals