Modus Vivendi - The Power of Suggestion (ep)

Review by Smitty @ Western Front - www.wf.com.au

Hey Metal heads, Smitty's back with another local cd review this time's its Prog metaler's Modus Vivendi eagerly awaited debut ep 'The Power of Suggestion'.

Modus Vivendi play a style of metal that incorporates high levels of musicianship, technical skills and melody. That style is often referred to as Progressive: The static riffs locked in with a double kick beats, Epic songs sometimes reaching past the 10 minute mark, Melodic passages, strong keyboard elements, Bombastic vocals, chorus's that will stick in your head for weeks, weird time signatures...your mouth watering yet?

The Power of suggestion opens up in grand fashion with 'Shadows divine'. Surging keyboards and a simple riff that rises straight into a prog metal assault, every instrument coming at once this then flows into a melodic verse. The chorus? Catchy as hell (...it's still stuck in my head!). Other Highlights of this song, the riff/keyboard work around 4:30 mark, that sweet 'Honky tonk' section around the 5:45 mark and the main solo (a tribute to linus's excellent solo work). This track is the longest of the ep clocking in at a mighty 8:25.

Onto the next track 'Misinformation' starts off with a nice keyboard/clean guitar intro before launching into a mid paced riff (perfect for banging ones head). This is the more softer/slower track, but it still offers some great moments; the riff just after 1st chorus is great it's got that 'endless prog metal' feel to it. Yet another catchy chorus round off this one out.

An almost techno style keyboard loop mixed with chunky prog riffs/double kick start 'Line Integrity' off, Right from the outset this song is the darker sounding song of the 3. In saying this, the chorus is nicely melodic, makes a good contrast. The harmonised vocal section around 4:40 sounds great (The lead vocalist in Modus is also the drummer which makes this all the more impressive) this then leads into a mini solo which sounds like it belongs in a Yngwie Malmsteen song. The main solo is once again great...real 'uplifting, fist in the air' stuff.

Apart from sounding great musically, Production wise Modus shine as well...listening to the record I'm quite surprised to read that it was recorded on a digital 8 track. A tribute to Aidan Barton who mixed and mastered the ep.

All round an Excellent Ep. The only fault I can find with it is there's simply not enough on here, after 3 tracks I'm craving more and more. Hopefully a full-length release won't be to far away. Although for some it maybe a few listens, (before your able to take it all in) but it's well worth it.

Modus Vivendi: ( lat ) A Working Arrangement between conflicting interests.
Modus Vivendi: A kickarse local Prog metal act with a lot of promise!

Rating: 5 'Singing Drummers' out of 5

Modus Vivendi - The Power of Suggestion OUT NOW !!
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