Trained by Grégory Giraudo (also guitarist Coexistence) and his cousin Stéphane Fradet (who sang in Falkirk) Parallel Minds has offered the services of an experienced drummer as this is Franky Costanza (Dagoba). I had already flashed on the Coexistence Flow album in 2011 and find new material Giraudo signed today gives me great pleasure ... especially since he is not alone and that the work with his cousin allows the combo does not sound like a Coexistence alternative ... There are commonalities in certain moods and influences but this time the progressive touches are more discrete and the emphasis is on immediacy and girder !!
From the first seconds I Am, we feel a great desire to do battle. Grosse rhythm that should not displease fans to Iced Earth, a massive battery that packs a powerful singing and frayed that oscillates between melodic phases and wicked gueulantes while still remaining credible ... the atmosphere is dark, ultra heavy, it starts strong! Into The Void offers a modern touch on a verse oriented groove metal with Stéphane who adds a healthy dose of gravel in his voice. Meanwhile, Greg (who also assumes the role of bassist) installs a heavy and sharp rhythmic, assisted by a Franky Costanza who mistreats its battery as it should. The tempo is a little on the same Reborn Through Hate but the piece does not have the same colors as the previous one. The purpose remains heavy but the riff and singing bring more melody. The chorus is catchy and memorable. The group also posted a lyric video of the song more accessible. Small note in passing the guitar solo is excellent.
One might think that the cousins have their best grilled outset cartridges to impress the listener and the pressure will inevitably fall but this is not the case ... because the result is even more class. Imperial Migdal Bavel, over eight minutes song, the crushing heaviness, we prove that Parallel Minds has more than one string to his bow. Change in mood, tempo ... this piece has just the class. Nice work on the atmosphere, including choirs, quite trippy harmonies that contrast with the heaviness of the rhythm section and guitar. The final, which no longer exist as discrete choirs and keyboards, is beautiful. Then comes one of my favorite songs: the title track. Small calm intro guitar / voice before the machine does packs and the guitar serves us a super effective riff. The tempo becomes speed, Stéphane balance all his resentment before getting on a more melodic epic chorus with onions. And solos ... they make me think of the heyday of Blind Guardian (Greg fact speak two guitars simultaneously but on different themes as did the famous bards on Lost In The Twilight Hall). Ghost Of Sparta is in line with good rhythm and bastonnants securities offered by the Group with a horse in style between technical thrash and heavy that dépote ... while A 1000 Minds Away, ballad (but heavy ballad) offers a welcome lull which allows to catch his breath. I like less but it's still well done and does not sink into sentimentality.
It is not given to everyone to compose an epic piece that takes twenty minutes drive from beginning to end ... Well, again, with Hyperion, Parallel Minds makes a remarkable copy. Intro raises the stormy atmosphere with piano and resonates in the dark, majestic choirs followed by sharp guitars and catchy tempos ... the minutes pass without one noticing and after some twists perfectly set up we arrive at the end of the epic that ends with a beautiful and surprising final choruses while that would not have denied Savatage (for counterpoint technique). The set is powerful, coherent, well-crafted ... It's very hard!
Once digested the eight tracks, you will remain a very little room for twice? Coming Home (Scorpions) and Only The Good Die Young (Iron Maiden). Again, it's a great job. Versions of Parallel Minds are faithful and personal at once. The purpose is not denatured but the group has adapted the music of glorious ancestors to his fiery style. So, it is muscular and modernized but respectful. Intelligent recovery amount.
Ultimately sixty-eight minutes varied metal, powerful and coherent which also speak good to those who love the traditional heavy as other research freshness and modernity. Melody, technique, speed, heaviness, aggression, sensitivity ... there is something for everyone. And when it is also well done, well done we say and we want more. I forgot to say that the album was well produced; the sound is powerful and well-metal, a certain Jacob Hansen (who worked with Pretty Maids, Evergrey, Amaranthe, Primal Fear, Mercenary, Volbeat and many others) has also mastered the cake. So a new group to follow closely ... and one of the few to offer something more than just a good album more heavy. In this style, I voice two combos that stand out this year: Orden Ogan (with more than advisable Ravenhead) and Parallel Minds ... with this excellent Headlong Disaster. You know what you have to do.
Score: 17/20
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