ARZ: Press

There was a new review that was posted of our last album, Solomon's Key, written by Music in Belgium:

http://www.musicinbelgium.net/pl/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=3180

Original post written in French by Jean-Pierre Lhoir

Translation to English by Karen Chow

Solomon’s Key marks a turning point for Steven Adams’ project ARZ. Finally, he is not alone. He is now accompanied by the drummer Merrill Hale. This is a profound change for the project. Adams can now focus entirely on the guitar, keyboards and bass parts. This gives added depth to this fourth album which remains despite being entirely instrumental.

In the opening piece “Almadel” one feels this change. The new group is more powerful as a unit and has the power to captivate the attention of the listener. “Babylon” has Eastern influences like in Led Zeppelin, but the guitar riffs are so heavy that it makes them closer to metal. There is some Satriani influence here. “Saracen” mixes guitars of different timbres from metal to acoustic. “India” reminds us that Steven Adams is influenced by Steve Hackett.

The heavy metal side is thus very present in this album. “Lemegaton” still proves this. And we are reminded yet again that the addition of a real drummer on this project is extremely important. That multiplies the power of the pieces by ten. We quickly forget the side Anthony Philips in the debut or the grinding environments. With “Jester's Court”, we are rewarded with a mix between Asian, Middle Eastern and progressive European culture. “Burning Bush” mixes Middle Eastern sounds with aggressive guitar supported by low powerful bass, enough to burn the Bush Administration with hard rock devestation. “Solomon’s Key”, which finishes this opus, is the showpiece with an 18 minute saga. It also is very varied, mixing acoustic and electric elements. It starts carefully, gradually building up layers. But then we are entitled to moments of a completely unabashed energy.

There is no doubt that this is the best album of ARZ, at least until now, because it appears that there will be a follow-up CD. “Solomon' s Key” is very successful and more mature than previous CDs. The contribution of having a genuine drummer is undeniable. It's a pity that it is only available through digital downloads from the ARZ website. Therefore it’s useless to ask your local record dealer to order the CD. Instead, go directly to the ARZ web site.

“Serai is a modern masterpiece of soaring guitar instrumental music that combines rock, jazz and classical…”

“It rocks, it swings, and sometimes it just lays back and lets the music whisper. For all this though, it is Steve’s acoustic guitar playing that impresses most, and the man has style and technique to spare.”

“…instrumental neo-prog in the style of YES, GENESIS, RUSH, FOCUS, IQ…Without a doubt the 2 CDs are a pleasure to listen to, with Steve’s musicianship reaching a very high level. Any progfan will love this band…”

“…it twists and turns blending Hackettonian and Fripperian styles to form a soundtrack to a story told only by the music. Powerful stuff indeed! …Adams manages to keep the listener enthralled and engaged, spinning off on weird tangents…the sheer profundity of musical ideas makes each listen anew…”

“Sure technique and inner fire combine in “Spindlehsank” and on the country-tinged “Stomp,” organic showcases for Adam’s astonishing finger and fret skills”….“Combined, the two discs make for a bold but inhabitable journey into a fantastic world where the view is often breathtaking.”

From an interesting one man project of Steve Adams, Arz is now a duo project. On their new album, Solomon's Key, the music is a little heavier, more on the progressive metal side, but still excellent to my ears. I have goose bumps listening to it. As I have said in a previous review, this is my king of progressive rock; beautiful melodic soundscapes with a powerful sound. Now with the addition of Merrill Hale on drums and guided by Steve Adams as guitarist, composer and leader the music is even better than on Serai and The Magi. I am thrilled by the result. As always the guitar is fabulous. Most pieces clock at more than 7 minutes, with two epic length tracks. The universe visited on this opus is the mythological Middle East.

Almadel, this piece immediately sets the heavier tone of this album, but remains in the melodic blissful universe of Arz. What superb soundscapes! Their use of powerful metal passages followed by more tranquil melodic ones made me think a little of Porcupine Tree on their latest albums. This is definitely a great track to open this opus (since I first wrote this review I have listen to it quite a lot and I found it fantastic). Babylon is another prog metal piece who shows interesting complexities and a mind blowing melodic line. The guitar is in shredder's mode at times. The drums are excellent which is interesting since in metal the drums are rarely subtle. Saracen has an eastern oriental sounding like beginning, but rapidly moves to a neoprog sound and texture. India begins with tablas sounding like percussions and acoustic guitar (maybe sitar?). This offers a contrast with the preceding tune, a kind of mellower tone that I like very much. The timbre of the electric guitar is exquisite to accompany this composition. Lemegaton is an extended track who clocks at 13:40 minutes. Its structure is subtle and its unfolding really shows the excellent musicianship of the band. Definitely a PT inspired track in the wake of Pink Floyd style of composition; another great success. Jester's Court, the shortest piece of this album, returns to an oriental feel in the form of a quiet ballad. Once again it has a soothing effect after the preceding musical storm. It is a real catchy piece. Burning Bush seems in the continuity of Jester's court, and then the electric guitar enters and exploded like in the best days of hard rock. With the solos, we are near guitars heaven... What will Solomon's Key opens? At 18:26 minutes, it is a joy to hear it unfold the answer. This piece alone is worth buying the album. It made me imagine vast spaces, alien landscapes and other stars. The percussions are blending incredibly well with the guitars.

Since I love all the pieces on this great album, I strongly recommend this CD for all lovers of progressive metal. Certainly near the top of my best albums of the year. This CD really kick ass. It is at the same time powerful and melodic. Don't miss it. I am looking forward for their next project.