PROGRESSIVE METAL
GERMANY
Lee Z was totally unknown for me, but this German band appears to exist since 1988 and this is their fifth album. It is a pity that all previous productions – the latest one ‘Alive’ was released in 1999 – are out of print. In the meantime all members worked at diverse project with eminent artists such as Snowy White (ex Pink Floyd), Magfic of the Dance and Eric Marienthal (Chick Corea). This wide range of experience is reflected in a standout album.
One can catalogue Lee Z as a progressive metal band, but that is not sufficient to describe this band, for this is a very diverse album, that has a very catchy flow, also because of a few slower tracks. I am immediately impressed by the voice of Peter Pauliks. Only since the previous album ‘Alive’ he has been recruited as vocalist in the band – before that guitarist Thomas Zink sang – but his emotional, warm voice increases the charms of ‘Shadowland’.
The album opens with the extensive title track (more than seven minutes): an instant bull’s eye shot! A composition which is brought to a higher level by powerful guitars (a bit Van Halen alike), lascivious keyboards and completed by luscious melodic guitar soloing. And that voice! When Peter sings: “You want to know why this old wind blows” I know that everything’s going to be alright with this quartet. ‘Enemy In Me’ is a bit more laid back. Real shivers appear with the emotional ‘Cold Days’. Melancholy strengthened by some strings. Dynamic bass-lines, soothing keyboards, progressive structures in the vein of Dream Theater, but a catchy chorus: that is what ‘Save Me’ is about. Even some hidden funky elements loom up now and then, more precisely in ‘Alive’ and ‘Troublemaker’.
One of them must have had a lover in Dover. When a delicious ballad such as ‘Nights In Dover’ is coming out of this, you will not hear me complain. If you are able to move someone with a bunch of clichés, you are made of the right stuff. ‘Fallen From Grace’ is another fine track. One way or another it reminds me a bit of Amorphis. Like I said earlier, the clean, accent-less (language) vocals of this album are exactly what these catchy tunes needed. A touch of melancholy pops up again in the by piano, acoustic guitars and dry percussion dominated ‘Peaceful Lake’, which is an instrumental song. This album will appeal to everyone who has a heart for music: from progressive rock fans to Bryan Adams fans to real metal fans. Congratulations!
ALBUMS:
2005 - SHADOWLAND
Musicians:
Peter ‘Pani’ Pauliks: vocals
Thomas ‘Tommy’ Zink: guitars, vocals
Matthias Rethmann: bass
Dirk Brand: drums
Shadowland (7’44’’)
Enemy In Me (3’35’’)
Cold Days (4’20’’)
Save Me (6’08”)
Alive (5’16’’)
Nights In Dover (3’23’’)
Troublemaker (3’23’’)
Sweet Surrender (4’58’’)
Fallen From Grace (3’18’’)
Peaceful Lake (3’25’’)
Look!!
