(Progressive Metal) [CD] Soul Cages - Soul Cages - 1994, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Soul Cages was a German band that originally formed in 1990. The six members of this band came from several different speed / thrash metal bands. They were dissatisfied with the limits of their roots and wanted to do something more musically expressive. What they ended up producing was termed "melodic art-rock" by the band. I'd call it outstanding progressive metal or progressive AOR. The group considered their first two albums to be more along the lines of demos than full fledged releases. I know several progressive bands that can't release "full fledged" albums as good as this "demo".

Musically, this CD is a great listen. The music never stays in one place. It constantly changes and grows from airy melodic interludes to all-out athletic guitar and bass numbers and back, sometimes within the same song. The band uses two guitars that are playing in unison one moment and then next one is playing melody and the other a counter-melody. The music is very expressive and emotional.

The lyrics are very thoughtful and well written. As much as I abhor the term "thinking man's metal", this band certainly fits the definition. The singing is outstanding as well as the band uses a lead singer backed by two female background vocalists and another singer interspersed in with them. The singers accent and complement one another. With so many voices, the vocal melodies are very enjoyable, never getting too busy to follow.

Fans of involved and carefully crafted progressive metal will really enjoy this disc. If you've enjoyed recent Fates Warning or Dream Theater, you'll find this enjoyable as well.

Thorsten Staroske - vocals, guitars and keyboards
Knut Nitschke - guitars
Stephan Tigges - bass and backing vocals
Jorg Nitschke - drums
Patricia Trautmann and Beate Kuhbier - backing vocals