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: : Sieges Even - The Art of Navigating By The Stars : :

Band/Artist
Sieges Even
Title:
The Art of Navigating By The Stars
Released
Dec 13, 2005
Label
Insideout Records

Track List:
Intro: Navigating By the Stars
Sequence I: The Weight
Sequence II: The Lonely Views of Condors
Sequence III: Unbreakable
Sequence IV: Stigmata
Sequence V: Blue Wide Open
Sequence VI: To The Ones Who Have Failed
Sequence VII: Lighthouse
Sequence VIII: Styx

: : The Players : :
Arno Menses vocals | Markus Steffen Guitars | Oliver Holzwarth Bass | Alex Holzwarth Drums

: : The Art of Navigating By The Stars : :

This is one of my surprise finds among the many prog releases of 2005. I saw it in one of those promo inserts that InsideOut Music puts in all their releases. I was looking through it and the cover art for Sieges Even struck some internal cord and something said purchase it and I did.

I have to tell you this has been one of those great finds. Even since purchasing it I’ve not had one person mention them to me and I just don’t know why.

Hailing from Germany, Sieges Even began life in 1988 when they recorded their first CD “Life Cycle”. Their earlier work was much more in the progressive metal vein like Queensryche or Dream Theater. Evidently they were relatively successful and toured often and opened for some of the big boys of the day.

After releasing five CD’s Sieges Even broke up so each member could “find their own musical muse”. But as fate would have it with the change to the next millennium each member found a desire to start making music together again.

Thus this new 2005 release. This I suppose is still in the prog metal vein but much less of the chugga, chugga, chugga rolling double kick bass and screaming guitar riffs. No, this CD is very tight and introspective and while it really rocks you have more of a symphonic feel to each and every song. There is still plenty of rock and roll but the listener does not feel bombarded like a lot of the current prog metal does.

With only one song less than 6 minutes the listener is treated to a wide array of musical input that only gets better with each song. The singer has one of those sweet and smooth voices that make you wish you could sing as well. Also they throw in some unexpected and perfect harmonies that really brings the music into line with say early Spock’s Beard.

Saying that I do not mean at all that they sound like them just the harmonies are that smooth and matched.

One song that really stands out is the song “Unbreakable”. It’s hard to put into words how this song impacts me but it does. The song starts with a chilling guitar intro that is mellow and yet powerful setting the stage for the remainder of the song.

The shortest song on the CD "Blue Wide Open" follows and once again the listener is pulled gladly into a harmonious wash of voices and acoustic guitar. A song about sailing on the ocean and the freedom and peace that such a trip brings to the soul. An excellent song both musically and lyrically.

I love it when a CD gets better and better with each advancing song. This CD is absolutely that way. So much so that while you are totally captivated by the opening intro and song, you find yourself anticipating the next song, and the next song, etc. That is one of the reasons I have had so many listens prior to writing this review. I forced myself to really listen to each song and read the lyrics so each song could be put into its own space and time.

Which brings me to the final song “Styx”? This song is probably the best song on the CD and does an excellent job of tying all the various songs together into one strong and exciting package.

Woo, an excellent CD that when it’s over you find yourself disappointed and wanting more. I know one thing; I will be seeking out their earlier releases if for no other reason than to see where the seeds of this band were first planted.

Rating: 9 of 10
Reviewed By: Stephen Ellis

: : Visit the Artist’s Website : :

: : Discography : :
Life Cycle - 1988
Steps - 1990
A Sense of Change - 1991
Sophisticated - 1995
Uneven - 1997
The Art Of Navigating By The Stars - 2005

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