(Progressive/Power Metal) [CD] Reignstorm - Tomorrow's Past (Compilation) - 2009, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Anyway, "Tomorrow's Past" by REIGNSTORM is a real breath of fresh air. For me, it brings back a feeling of metal that you just don't hear that much anymore. When I say that, I'm talking about days when metallers had long hair, wore Iron Maiden shirts and didn't feel the need to write every song about some pathetic loser committing suicide because his goth-girl had left him for another vampire. I'm also talking about the days when the words "progressive metal" didn't make you feel the bile rising in your throat and have you running for the safety of your Blue Cheer albums. No, when I put on this disc and the opening title cut fires out of the Realm Blaster, I'm picturing guys in muscle shirts with "Mercyful Fate" on the front, Jackson V's and hair swirling... and that's a good thing. Yes, because much like our beloved Fate (and even Arch-era Fates Warning), these guys packed a helluva punch into their songs. Why, just in that title cut and "Chapter XXX", guitarist Robb Peterson crams more riffs and harmony leads than Carter's got liver pills. The best thing about this is that, like the classic MF duo of Shermann & Denner, he does it in songs that range mostly from 3-5 minutes... thus keeping the listener's interest, not making everything a half-hour snore-a-thon. In fact, it's notable that only 2 tracks out of the 16 here last beyond the 7 minute mark. Jarrett Lembach's vocals are a real eye-opener for me throughout this disc. The guy has a range that goes from a pensive mid-range to stratospheric, all with an ease that references the best of the genre, like Mr. Diamond, Arch and John Stewart (Slauter Xstroyes). Listen to his work, for example, in "Road To Insanity". That's impressive! It's also far more than notable that 9 of the 16 numbers here feature the drumming of brother Chris Lembach. As something like "Ruler Of Today" proves, he's not only one of the premier sticksmen in the local area but of any I've seen. (Watch him nail the Tool covers in Deadlock, as well). The blinding bass work on most of the cuts is handled by John Barr.
Another neat thing about this CD is that it chronicles the band's progress, from their 1989 demo through some live cuts ('91) and on to demos from '97 and '98 (some of which feature the contributions of other musicians as well, like Drew Mazurek, Mike Davis, Dwayne Adams, Charles Parker and Frank Starchak). Unlike some such collections, where the listener finds him or herself blanching at hideous and wildly variable sound quality, the production values here are not just listenable but very high throughout. It all makes this something I have kept near the player since it's arrival, the perfect antidote to those times I find myself in need of top-notch, first class pure metal. (Um... isn't that always, Ray?) The packaging is sterling, the sleeve notes describing the band's history are exhaustive and the artwork is first-rate. The only drawback to the whole affair is that 1998 seemed to signal the end for the REIGNSTORM story and I find myself sad that I never got to see these guys trod the boards. Still, that being said, this disc is a super chronicle of a band that any real metaller could hold to their heart. And, it's a limited edition of 1000, so act now!
RAYSREALM
If you take some time to read the biography of this band you would realize that the luck was not actually by their side although they got lots of talent to deliver a mysterious, complex meanwhile melodic and emotional type of Power Progressive Metal the American way. This anthology contains their only officially released demo and almost everything else the band has recorded including compilation only tracks, studio outtakes, unreleased songs, live recordings and even recordings that should have ended it be an album release but never made it. Chris Lembach form Mystic Force was almost always the hidden supporter of this band that was actually started by his brother Jarret. If you search for similarities with Mystic Force there is the Power Progressive musical background that both bands belong to but the music of Reignstorm is deeper and more melancholic but still powerful and tracks like "Tomorrow's Past", "Chapter XXX", "Exhaustion" and "Road To Insanity" are here for those who want some good examples. Rob Peterson has a very special guitar playing style delivering a bunch of complex melodies strong enough to satisfy any serious Power / Prog fan and the vocals of Jarret Lambach are for sure the real big thing inside this band. For the record I should point that they have also recorded a version of Fates Warning's "We Only Say Goodbye" for a tribute album this is the only piece of Reignstorm musical history that is not included here probably due to copyright reasons. Well it is a fact that this release does justice to a band that never got the chance of a proper release but has a lot of good music to offer. For more details about their saga read the very informative inner notes on the CD booklet.
Metal Invader

Jarrett Lembach - vocals, acoustic guitar on 4, keyboards on 4 & 15
Robb Peterson - guitars on 1-5, 8-16
John Barr - bass on 1-5, 8, 9, 13-16
Chris Lembach - drums on 1-5, 8, 9, 15 & 16
******
Drew Mazurek - guitars on 6 & 7
Mike Davis - bass on 6 & 7
Dwayne Adams - drums on 6, 7, 10-14
Charles Parker - keyboards on 1 & 16
Frank Starchak - piano on 15