This time, the common element of Jethro's match-up is metal. You have a progressive metal rock opera vs. an album by a band that began as a metal band and then moved into the prog arena.
Here's the tale of the tape:
Flaming Row - Mirage - A Portrayal of Figures
Mirage is a Progressive Rock Opera in the veins of Ayreon. It's a large sci-fi concept album sporting a vast array of guest vocalists and musicians, all portraying different characters in the story. Where Flaming Row differs though, is in the wide array of musical influences it takes inspiration from. It's got prog rock, European folk music, metal, jazz piano and saxophone solo's, making for a very eclectic mix. I can see people finding it haphazard, but I find that those escapades are actually some of the highlights of the album and make for a very refreshing album with new surprises around every corner.
It's massive and bombastic, diverse and euphoric and I love it.
https://open.spotify.com/album/1GvvMDn2AZylTetivUklYq?si=RTBwOMAuTiSVJ2wUTHefKA
vs.
Il Giardino Onirico - Apofenia
Italy is considered a prog hotbed of the very highest caliber, and this one makes no exception. Album is consistent and is centered around electric guitar supported by a variety of synth and keys. It expresses all the emotions found here to the max. Here, it's romantic, there it's dark. There is a sense of tension as well, and it can be hypnotic at times. No necessarily need of vocals for doing so. When the vocals are sparsed, the instruments tightly express. Album is very melodic, and not many heavy parts to be found but heaviness is in their DNA, as shown in their previous albums.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DESnpZqOndg&list=PLuS4U--ALmIFO31OkVeIZTh6s4Fum09K1
track 1 is a teaser. Please skip it (youtube).
Also available on Spotify (perhaps better sound)
I'm very excited to see how this one plays out.
