Condition Red - "II" Review

Artist: Condition Red

Title: II

Produced by: Lars Eric Mattsson

Label/ Date: Lionn Music/ 2003

Tracks:

1. The Warning

2. Eye of a Storm

3. Cycles

4. Time Passes By

5. The Eagle's Return

6. It's Not Too Late

7. Rondo

8. Why Won't You Hear Me?

9. Seven Stars

10. Your Freedom

11. In / Out

12. Train Insane

13. Out of the Red

The Review:

Condition Red’s second release II, is by far the most original and impressive prog-metal bands to surface on Lion Music’s roster. The reason? Well they combine the traditional elements of prog-metal along with progressive rock, folk and even string based music.

With female fronted vocals, provided by Ella Grussner, adds a nice atmosphere not found in prog-metal. She also plays flute and violin, which are two instruments hardly used in prog-metal.

Eric Lars Mattsson is the main instrumentalist here and is augmented by Alex Masi on guitar and Alexander King on keyboards. To round off the line up is drummer, Gerald Kloos.

My only problem is that Eric is pretty much the "band" with added players to realise his music thus not allowing a true “band” feel to Condition Red. Maybe he’ll allow that on the third release and in my opinion, stick with one instrument, the guitar.

This is very recommended for those who want something different with their prog-metal.

~Ron for ProgNaut.com [November 11th, 2003]

To get to the artist's website, please click on the CD cover.

Band Members:

Ella Grussner - Vocals, violin, flute

Lars Eric Mattsson - Guitars, bass, sitar, keyboards

Alex Masi - Guitars (solos on 2, 6, 8)

Alexander King - Keyboards

Gerald Kloos - Drums