The Fourth Season

Vanishing Point is a rather unheralded band in the prog/power genre. Most of the perpetrators of this genre enjoy the hospitality of Europe, so coming from the sunny down under immediately struck me as an interesting point for these guys. All in all it is rather standard prog/power metal, well executed and with fairly strong songs throughout the album. When this album originally entered my CD rotation a year or so ago I thought it was amazing. As time has progressed it's not quite up to that standard anymore.

The music as a whole is driven by vocal melodies/keyboards. It's not quite as extravagantly overdone as, say, Blind Guardian's A Night at the Opera but there is a certain lack of power from the guitars that leaves me wanting a more. There is nothing too ground breaking or amazingly jaw dropping on the part of the guitars, but they are there, can be heard and no one drops it in the middle of the song or anything like that so they are played well enough to be recorded. There are solos but once again even they seem to be drowned out by the keys which is rather sad as they did get interesting at a couple points in the album. That is the major problem with the guitars, there is just this frustrating lack of balls though. Even the heaviest parts of the album (such as Hope Among the Heartless, 3:45-4:00) feel a bit diluted and castrated.

The bass is, as a whole, fairly inaudible throughout most of the album. When it can be heard it is not entirely inspiring or amazing. It just is there, following along with the guitars. There are a couple interesting parts (when the guitars stop or go acoustic) that the bassist does get to play his instrument but those are few and far between for the most part.

The drums are a bit better done, interesting at parts but once again remain fairly tame throughout the entire production. Nothing note worthy to be said here either. Just well played, and mistake free.

The clear cut star of this show is without a doubt the vocalist Silvio. His melodies and clear, strong voice is actually quite amazing. A comparison to Epica/The Black Halo Roy Khan is not unwarranted, just a major reduction on range is in order for the most part. This is without a doubt the biggest strength of the band, and it is highlighted everywhere throughout the album being put right on top of the album's mix. There are a couple annoying backing vocal parts but that is the biggest complaint about the vocals.

The keys are probably the most used instrument in this album, I can not honestly think of a point where the keys aren't played. It adds texture to the album, sometimes initiating some interesting parts of the song. But at the same time they are just way too over used. The band should pay Jake Lowe and Silvio the most money because the music is so reliant on the keys and vocals that it gets carried away with sometimes. I would not be so adverse to the usage of keys had they actually played memorable, interesting parts (such as Evergrey where the keyboardist usually has a few interesting, important and memorable solos and parts). Once again though, this album is suffocated with keys for the most part, and they don't do much besides castrate the guitars.

The biggest problem with this album is its memorability. It is a great album on first, second, third listen. But after a month or so of it being in your rotation of albums it will drop out and you likely won't go out of your way to listen to it too many times thereafter. There are excellent melodies, some semi-interesting well placed solos, and everybody has a part of noting, even the drowned out bassist. The star of this show though is once again Silvio. He holds everything together. With his great vocal performance this album thrives, there is no doubt about that.

In all this album is a pretty good listen and more consistent then some other prog/power albums but if you decide to buy it in the end it won't be one of your timeless albums. The songs are all pretty good but there is nothing that will make you go "That was awsome" after the honeymoon. It's good, just not timeless. Whether that's due to an over-reliance on the keys to drive the music or a ho-hum performance from everyone besides Silvio there is no real memorability to be found on this album. Again, you won't find yourself coming back to it too often by choice but won't likely change it if any of the songs come up on your play-list. That's about the most memorable part in its consistency.

Vanishing Point - The Fourth Season

That cover with the black-clad violinist with covered eyes where the waves splash under a stormy sky has got to be one of the covers that 2007 has to offer that is as truly beautiful as it is poetic and I can’t help to confess being in love by its look.

But could I fall in love with the music inside?

It was in 2005 that I came across “Embrace The Silence” and fell in love with these Australians’ brand of Melodic Metal. With some European Power Metal and Progressive Metal influences, like Dream Theater focused on melody with Savatage’s capacity to translate emotions into music, Vanishing Point’s sound relied on emotional and elaborate vocal melodies by the impressive Silvio Massaro, whose nasal and warm tone was perfect to guide the listener through the band’s deep lyrics that steered away from the typical verse/chorus structure.

Two years went by and “The Fourth Season” represents the band’s return with the same ingredients, all present from the beginning with the memorable “Embodiment” and proceeding along to “Tyranny of Distance” and “Surrender”, a song of undeniable genius. One song after another, the same refrained progressive metal, the same intelligent and deep lyrics and the enveloping vocals culminating in choruses that are overwhelming without having to be exaggerated or over the top.

But if each song is a fascinating cloth of melody and technique, that doesn’t mean that if you have heard one, you’ve heard them all. In a subtle way, time signatures change, rhythms transform and variety is assured all the time. Compare the absolutely unforgettable “Hope Among The Heartless” with the aggressive “Ashen Sky” and you’ll know what I mean. The band itself evolved, hardening its sound and feelings conveyed, concentrating in shorter and more focused songs without compromising their essence for a single moment.

And if after all of this you need a crowning moment to this album, you have it with “A Day Of Difference” with its melancholic guitar, Silvio’s passionate vocals, and exemplary narrations by Peter O’Toole. And when you read “Peter O’Toole”, you take a bow if you don’t mind.

For all the reasons you can think of, “The Fourth Season” is an album of flagrant melodic and lyrical brilliancy, whose elegance and emotional strength will be hard to even equal. Those happy to know the band have here yet another reason to deepen their devotion for the Australians, while those that don’t know them have in “The Fourth Season” an irresistible reason to meet their music.

All around, unquestionably one of this year’s most astonishing albums and one you’ll love more with each new listen.

Review originaly for www.rockheavyloud.com