THE QUIET ROOM — Introspect (review)

THE QUIET ROOM — Introspect album cover Album · 1998 · Progressive Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
UMUR
"Introspect" is the debut full-length studio album by US, Denver, Colorado based progressive metal act The Quiet Room. The album was released through Dominions Records in September 1998. The band was founded in 1992 and released two full-length studio albums before they disbanded in 2002.

The band play what I would characterize as traditional 90s progressive metal. Lots of tempo and time signature changes, excellent instrumental work, where the guitars and the keyboards are equally dominant in the soundscape, and a skilled high pitched lead vocalist. It´s definitely the musicianship that´s the greatest asset on the album, because both the sound production and especially the songwriting are a bit lacking to my ears. The former is acceptable, but lacks power (especially the guitars and the keyboards) while the latter is a bit more critical. In particular the vocal melodies/vocal lines are rather unremarkable. Sometimes to a point where it seems like lead vocalist Chadd Castor (who would leave the band after this release) is desperately seeking a melodic hook to hold on to. As a consequence he sometimes sounds strained and uncomfortable. I´m sometimes reminded of the first couple of Sieges Even albums which featured the same flaw.

...when that is said, "Introspect" isn´t a bad release by any means. It´s just that the album has the potential to be better and when that potential isn´t fulfilled it´s bound to be at least a slight disappointment. However we´re still presented with stellar instrumental performances and intriguing compositional ideas (although the tracks aren´t always put together in the most appropriate manner) enough to warrant a 3 star (60%) rating.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Hin helga kvöl Atmospheric Sludge Metal
SÓLSTAFIR
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Cycles of Suffering Black Metal
BURIAL OATH
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Suns of Perdition - Chapter IV: To Shadow Zion Black Metal
PANZERFAUST
Buy this album from MMA partners
Facilis Descensus Averno Death Metal
SAEVUS FINIS
Buy this album from MMA partners
Merciless Crossover Thrash
BODY COUNT
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

DAWN OF REVENGE - Sanctuary [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Farewell [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Curtain of Death - [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Vengeance [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - I Need You [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed