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VIP - Maahan Kauneuden |
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V.I.P. is a finnish metal band that started out as a soft rock band. After one record the bass player Roope Pihlajanmaa (who today is the only remaining original member) wanted to make some changes. He found a very talented shredding guitarplayer in Jussi Pajunpää that brought a whole era to the band. It doesn't hurt either that the new drummer Robert Sjöstrand is an extremely talented one. With a new lineup where the members have been influenced by bands such as Tourniquet, Extol and Dream Theater you can imagine that there was quite a change in the sound. Maahan Kauneuden is progressive metal at its finest hidden behind a humble cover. While being influenced by a lot of well known bands, V.I.P. has created quite a unique sound. The basic song structures remind of classic finnish fast rock music. Onto this they have placed a lot of shredding lead guitar, twin guitars, death growls layered with the clean vocals and progressive elements such as strange beats and quick changes. The songs are long and complex and the musical talent is great. One obscure thing among many is the walz beat that is used a few times throughout the album. This is the first time I've heard a metal band use it although I've heard quite a lot of strange things. The funny thing is that it really works on this album! Just when you think you've got the hang of a song everything stops and the drummer moves to a completely different beat, then follows the bass and finally the guitars and the band keeps rocking with some excellent riffs. Especially the songs Voiko Huonommin Olla?, 6-0 and Grande Walse in Dm Op. 3 Nro. 11 really blow me away. Worth mentioning is also the beautiful ballad Lumen Valkeat Hiukset that all of sudden turns into a fast rocking tune with some very nice lead guitar just to return to it's slow verse once again. There are a lot of riffs and leads reminding of classical music as well. The clean vocals by Johannes Ylinen work well although he's no Bruce Dickinson. The backing vocals by Jussi and growls by Roope add nice elements to the vocals. The lyrics are typically finnish. Everything is dark and going wrong, but there is hope and salvavtion in Jesus Christ. The last song Dancing on the Roses sums it up pretty well with the line It's not always dancing on the roses in this cold dark world. If you enjoy progressive metal or just want something different for a change, this is the album for you. Christian progressive metal of this caliber is quite rare. |
| Style: Progressive metal | |
| Hot shots: | 6-0, Maahan Kauneuden, Voiko Huonommin Olla?, Lumen Valkeat Hiukset, Grande Walse in Dm Op. 3 Nro. 11 |
| Overall: |
 
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| Year: | 2000 |
| Review by: | Whitewashed |