Prog4you.com - Progressive Rock Review - Counter-World Experience

: : Leaving Lotus : :

Counter-World Experience is a German trio, formed in Hanover in 2001 and currently based in Berlin. Leaving Lotus is their third release, following 5 years after debut album "Always Home" and 2 years after their sophomore release "Fraktal".

Dark and grim guitars are a constant feature on this release, dominating the soundscapes from start to finish. Sometimes played as slick melodic riffs, at other times in grim and harsh staccato patterns, it's a highly used element of the tunes here. It is not ever-present though. All the tunes here have sections without guitar, or where the guitar convey more mellow and melodic atmospheres, in addition to some rather nice melodic soloing at times. What is remembered best is the guitars as dark and grim though, that sound makes an impression.

It's not all about guitars though, as there are many other details to the music here. Percussion work is high class, adding subtle details to the sonic textures woven. Guitar synth is used to create or enhance epic and slightly bombastic soundscapes as well as to create fragile and tender atmospheres; and often to give tunes a slight space feeling too. Drums are played with high skill throughout; sometimes in hypnotic tribal-like patterns, at other times with military inspired beats, or sometimes exploring jazz-tinged rhythm patterns. Whatever patterns are explored by the drummer he takes care to make it suitable to the sonic textures explored at any given time, supporting or enriching the current mood explored with care and attention.

The bass guitar; along with drums and percussion, support the guitar-led explorations on this album. In addition, the bass sustains melody lines in the segments where the guitar does not dominate, and is often central when the tunes take on more jazz-influenced explorations.

The band describe their music as jazz metal, which is an apt description. The tunes are mostly evolving affairs, rarely staying put in any given segment for a longer period of time, but often revisiting themes explored. The music reminds me a bit off Iranian band "Arashk" (if anyone has ever heard of that band), and similarities to semi-legendary band Cynic are also present - but Counter-World Experience make music much more pleasant to listen to; and without vocals.

Strong tunes throughout on this release, with "Ikaros" as the standout track in my opinion. Recommended to anyone that thinks an instrumental album with "jazz metal" sounds like something worth investigating.

Rating: 8 (out of 10)
Reviewer: Olav Björnsen

: : Visit the Artist’s Website : :

: : Discography : :
Leaving Lotus (2007)
Fraktal (2005)
Always Home (2002)