"If you like melodic music, be sure to check out VOR’s first independent release, because I seriously doubt their next one will be independent."

Follow up:

8/10

1. The Sound of Shame
2. Absolve
3. Edge of Midnight
4. Fragile
5. Grayscale Grace
6. Silence the Lies
7. Slow Motion Crash
8. Chemikaze
9. This Wasted Life
10. Take It Away
11. When Worlds Collide
12. Wrong Way

Is Atlanta, Georgia the new home for American Progressive Metal?

The answer may just be yes. Not only is Atlanta the home of the greatest American Metal Festival ProgPower USA, but it is also creating some great metal acts. A couple of years ago I learned of Halcyon Way and fell in love with them, and now there is another progressive metal act from the ATL that has found its way into my ears and infected my brain.

That would be the band VOR.

While not as bombastic as their Atlanta metal brothers Halcyon Way, VOR has a sound that is very easy to get in to and enjoy. VOR’s sound can best be described as dark melodic progressive metal, think Dream Theater mixed with Evergrey, slowed down and spiced up with just a touch of King’s X and Alice in Chains.

On first listen it seems that there are some problems with the production, some peeking out here and there, but you have to keep in mind that the guys in VOR made this album with out the aid of a record label, doing all the recording and producing themselves. When you take that in to account that they did not have bottomless pockets to spend on this, the album sounds incredible.

Musically the album is very impressive. Every song has a very haunting atmosphere to it that completely captures you when you listen to it. (Think a less heavy Evergrey) The guitars have some nice solos but nothing that takes from the haunting atmosphere of the songs. They use keyboards and sound clips to enhance the feeling of certain songs, and the vocals of guitarist, keyboardist and master mind Dan Scott are a perfect match to the music. His tones can just draw you in and chill your soul. However, my favorite part of this album and the thing that has looking forward to many more great things from this band is their amazing lyrics. “Dark and dreary suits my style, back and forth, my mind is changing, I’ll take this path a lonely trail, like angels wings, your mood surrounds me”
(Did I mention that this album has a haunting atmosphere?)

The stand out tracks are, “The Sound of Shame”, “Edge of Midnight”, “Greyscale Grace”, “Silence the Lies” and “This Wasted Life”. My personal favorite track being “When Worlds Collide” and the best track being “Take it Away”.

If you like melodic music, be sure to check out VOR’s first independent release, because I seriously doubt their next one will be independent.

ROCK ON!!!!

Links

Vor on Myspace
Buy the album

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