(progressive metal) Ricochet - Among The Elements - 1995, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Ricochet is a bit of a forgotten gem in the German progressive metal scene, after all their debut album "Among The Elements" dates back to 1996.

This album is a small gem that should be snatched up at once if you're lucky enough to find it somewhere. Highly melodic, overflowing with emotion and a technical prowess that is highly impressive are key elements. Ricochet is a band from Germany and this was their debut. Now, 11 years later they have recently released their second album (Zarah - A Teartown story). I only discovered this a month ago and in my joyous celebration I pulled out this classy debut.

My absolute favorite element of Ricochet is the way they manage to keep the melodic element in focus through the whole album while they keep the music complex enough to warrant seemingly limitless replayability. The album has been going on strong for 10 years in and out of my stereo. There is constantly something going on in the background, some small detail to notice but similar for all the songs is the desire to sing along. Partly this is because lead vocalist Karl-René Jobig whose voice is extremely smooth and warm, but also because the production is perfect and the instruments are kept at a reasonable level, there is room for everything.

Keyboard, bass, guitar and drums work together in a tight unity and the music has a very lively feel to it. It adds to the intensity and gives the album a positive vibe, even though the lyrics often contradict this. The lyrics deal with love, betrayal, dreams, corruption, outcasts and leave food for thought.

The guitar solos on the album need a special mention. In Life the solo provides a vigorious entry to the last verse. Similar for all the solos is that they are well played and never boring.

Fans of Shadow Gallery, Dream Theater, Vanden Plas and even Damian Wilson's solo albums will surely find something to like here. Writing this review while listening to the album I often found myself writing a line only to unconsciously open my mouth and sing out a line from the song playing in the background. Just an example of how captivating the album is.

(from http://www.revelationz.net)

Karl-Rene Jobig - vocals
Heiko Holler - guitars
Bjorn Tiemann - keyboards
Soren Huckel - bass
Jan Keimer - drums