MINDMAZE — Resolve (review)

Album · 2017 · Progressive Metal

5/5 · 2017-03-09
adg211288

So, there's this American metal band called MindMaze. I hope you've heard of them, otherwise you've been missing out on one of metal's most promising up and coming groups. If you haven't heard of them now is the time to start paying attention. Led by the brother and sister team of Jeff and Sarah Teets, they've released two albums previously, firstly Mask of Lies (2013) and then Back from the Edge (2014). The two albums showcased what can only be described as a rapid musical evolution, with the former mostly being a melodic heavy metal release and the latter being a full-on progressive power metal album. It was a good change for them to make as Back from the Edge was, at least in my view, the best power metal album of 2014. In fact the only power metal album released since that's managed to achieve the same kind of regard from me is The Fire Within (2016) by Eternity's End. I've been wondering for a long time now how MindMaze could possibly hope to top what they did with the album but now that their third full-length Resolve (2017) is here the answer to that actually seems quite simple:

Reinvent themselves again.

While the musical style of Resolve is technically similar to Back from the Edge, it's only in so far as that MindMaze are still blending the elements of power and progressive metal together. This can't be called a progressive power metal album though, because that term implies a power metal album that is progressive. That describes Back from the Edge perfectly, but right from its opening instrumental Reverie it's clear that Resolve is has been made with a different focus in mind. Call it power-progressive metal if you will. This means that the speedy riffs of power metal are still here, but are just a single ingredient in a much more complex and adventurous sound, which will also explain why they're not used quite as much as on the previous release, and the band are playing more with other ideas. The power metal certainly gives their brand of progressive metal some serious energy, the kind that many modern progressive metal albums are sadly in short supply of. I actually got pretty burned out on the genre over the last few years because most of the new releases I was hearing just didn't seem very exciting and I feel that I can safely say that if all newer progressive metal albums were delivered with as much energy, passion, and technical skill as Resolve then my burnout on the genre would never have happened. This is how progressive metal should be.

And about that technical skill, the musicianship of the band's three instrumentalists really is impeccable and they're not afraid to show it off. This is especially true of Jeff Teets who plays both the guitars and keyboards in the band. There's so many well crafted progressive ideas packed into the album that it's actually really hard to review it concisely. Exactly which tracks can be highlighted in an album that every time I listen to it I find that it takes me a little longer to pick my jaw up off the floor? All I can really say is that when even short one and a half minute long instrumentals like Sanity's Collapse stand out just as well as ten plus minute prog epics like the album closer The Path to Perseverance then there's some serious talent gone into creating the album. Every track is basically like gold dust.

Topping off all the excellent musicianship is the voice of Sarah Teets, whose vocals bring everything together into memorable songs. Her performance on the album is as rock solid as the musicianship. She sounds in full control of her abilities and brings a subtle power to her singing that often has her stealing the show. Her melodious and natural sounding voice goes hand in hand with the guitar tone of Jeff Teets to crate an altogether classic metal vibe for the band's songs. I find that a really refreshing aspect about the album actually: too many modern progressive metal acts are going down the road of overly polished productions and symphonic elements (definite respect to Jeff Teets for his use of keyboards in a truly progressive manner rather than just adding symphonic backings here and there), so what MindMaze are doing here stands out as not following the current trends, while also not being Dream Theater worship.

MindMaze always seemed to me to be at their best when they played their most progressive stuff on their first two albums, and with Resolve, their most progressive release to date, I only feel validated in that belief. This is the album I've been wanting to hear from them ever since the first time I heard Mask of Lies. It's no surprise to me how quickly the album has established itself in my regard as their best yet. It's even fair to say that MindMaze have now made three albums that each belong to a different genre. Not many bands can claim that, especially for their first three albums. What's doubly impressive is that as I've pointed out, Back from the Edge is one of my favourite power metal albums of recent years. Now MindMaze have also made one of my favourite progressive metal albums of recent years. I've even doubtful at this point if the new Ayreon album (which coincidentally shares a release date with Resolve) will be able to come close to this. So to close this review and come full circle with my opening: if you've not heard this band yet, then start paying attention right now. Resolve could very well be my album of the year.

more than 2 years ago
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666sharon666 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

April 28th: This, Ayreon, Vandroya and Pyramaze all on one day and I've pre-ordered all four. It's going to be a busy day.

adg211288 wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I'd say if you like prog at all then this is essential, but you know you may still dig it if you simply appreciate a good classic metal sound because they have that too, just in a more complex way.