UMUR
"Water" is the debut full-length studio album by German thrash/progressive metal act Complex 7. The album was independently released in July 2001. Complex 7 formed in 1990 under the Demimonde monicker and released the "Soliloquy" demo in 1995 before changing their name to Complex 7 in 1999.
Stylistically the material on "Water" is a continuation of the technical/progressive thrash metal style of the "Soliloquy" demo, but of course the 6 years between the two releases mean that Complex 7 are now even more well playing, and that the tracks are better composed, featuring more impact and memorable moments. Featuring 12 tracks and a total playing time of 65:58 minutes "Water" is a long album, but Complex 7 is a band with many intriguing songwriting ideas and while especially the vocal part of the music could have prospered from more hooks (sometimes the toneless vocal melodies remind me of Confessor), "Water" is still a highly adventurous and powerful release. It´s hard to compare it to anything else, as it´s really quite unique (although the above Confessor reference actually isn´t all wrong minus the doom).
"Water" features a well sounding production job, which suits the material perfectly. All details are heard, there´s power and punch in every instrument, and the vocals are clearly heard in the mix. It´s one of those releases I´d put on just to enjoy the sound production. "Water" may not be a perfect release. It lacks the memorable moments to reach those heights, but when that is said it features so many other great qualities which fully justifies a 3.5 star (70%) rating.