PROGRESSIVE METAL
USA
American progressive metal band Chiaroscuro distinguishes itself by its harsher sound, far more like thrash than most established prog metal groups would produce. According to their bio, Chiaroscuro has transformed itself "from a cookie-cutter prog metal band to a tight, dynamic, original, punishingly-heavy-but-still-melodic live ensemble." Kind of makes you wonder how many of those 'cookie-cutter' prog bands you've got in your CD collection, doesn't it?
Chiaroscuro is Ian Dorsch (vocals, keyboards), Richard Chambliss (guitars), Cliff Chambliss (bass guitars), and Aaron Ellsworth (acoustic and electronic drums). Ian Dorsch on this debut CD shares credit for music with his colleagues for most songs, but has written all lyrics, which are pretty good. Chiaroscuro was formed early 1996 and prior to this CD have released a four song demo.
The opening track Broken Everything sets the pace for the first half of the album, with punishing guitars and catching bass grooves. Ian Dorsch isn't shy about putting his vocals (and keyboards) on display at the start, which make this one of the best tracks on the album. The despressing purport of the lyrics even adds to its appeal. The Chambliss brothers create great unision of bass and guitar as they do on most of the album.
On Crucifixion part of the vocals, a single, though repeated line, to be honest, sound very much like Rage Against The Machine, probably the only band in existence which I don't just dislike, but really despise. Apart from this slight irritation this is a good song, on which a simple, but effective solo on bass and great guitar work set the pace for the instrumental middle section.
No Need is essentially a slow melodic song, but has its heavier guitar driven parts. Drums could have been far better; what's with those annoying cymbals? Ellsworth on drums is surely the weakest link in the chain for Chiaroscuro, hardly ever venturing beyond providing an only descent background for guitar and vocals. As noted before, Cliff Chambliss on bass fares far better.
Waiting features great riffing on guitar, but stands out for some splendid (counter-)melodies on vocals. Winter Girls varies between harsh and subtle verses, with a melodic instrumental section. I consider Divinity one of the best tracks on the album, on which electronic drums and percussion work amazingly well. A very quite song, that differs immensely from the rest of the material.
The rhythmically varied Children's Crusade provides a perfect closing track to an album that showcases this band's potential as only a debut album sometimes can. Unfortunately it also is a perfect display for the failing skills of the drummer.
This is partially more thrash than I usually aim for in my progressive metal, so some tracks took a bit of getting used to. The quality of musicianship (by three of the four band members) was evident from the start. Dorsch's handling of the keyboards sometimes equals in style to the best out there, but is often buried below the onslaught of guitar violence generated by Richard Chambliss, which of course does have its own appeal. Recently a fifth member, Jeff Moses, joined the band on keyboards and backing vocals to strengthen the band's live perfomances and I must say that I think Chiaroscuro's material will do quite well live.
This album will be of interest to all who favor progressive metal, but it should have special appeal to fans of Digital Ruin, although Chiaroscuro's music relies heavier on keyboards. They seem to have made quite an impression at more metal oriented webzines, so if that's your niche in the music scene I'd advise you to check it out.
Mark Sander
ALBUMS:
1999 - Brilliant Pools of Darkness
Musicians:
Ian Dorsch - vocals, keyboards, programmingRichard Chambliss - 6- and 7-string guitars
Clif Chambliss - bass
Aaron Ellsworth - acoustic and electronic drums
Jeff Moses - keyboards, vocals
1. Broken Everything 05:26
2. Crucifixion 07:12
3. No Need 05:08
4. Bloody Hell 05:08
5. Caliban’s Dance 05:18
6. Waiting 06:40
7. Winter Girls 04:53
8. Luminescence 04:27
9. Divinity 07:21
10. Children’s Crusade 09:35
