Hauteville - "Relief Data Incomplete" Review

Artist/ Band: Hauteville
Title: Relief Data Incomplete
Label: Lion Music
Year of Release: 2006
Artist/ Band Link (click for details/ ordering)

The Review:

Another pleasant surprise from Lion Music comes by way of a new French progressive rock band called Hauteville. Lion Music has been thinking outside their “power/neo classical metal” box again with this excellent gem. Hauteville does fit in well on the label because they tend to have a metallic sound along side progressive and rock. Their music is straight forward without veering too far into the commercial territory on their debut, Relief Data Incomplete. The music is very infectious, both in the memorable instrumentation and the vocal delivery of Lydie Gosselin. Lydie’s voice can be on par with most of the modern female rock/ prog artists. It has a sense of familiarity yet she sounds like no one in particular.

One of my favorite tracks is the opening, Monster (the race) which can be compared by it’s powerful and emotional vibe to that of Evanescence, Within Temptation, Lana Lane and so many others. On a slower track, Pefectablism, Lydie reminds me of Kate Bush. Other favorites are From Adam to atom and the title track.

One thing about Hauteville is that they can appeal to fans of modern metal/pop, as well as the more assessable progressive rock genre. This is the kind of album that will get repeat listens for years to come. I have to recommend this band and their debut to the afore mentioned fans as well as those that like their music to be adventurous yet assessable. I think Hauteville has a very promising future.

Reviewed by Ron Fuchs on June 22nd, 2006

Tracks:

01) Monster (the race)

02) From Adam to atom

03) Pefectablism

04) Immaculate Eyes

05) Like Anybody Hellse

06) The perfect lens

07) Relief data incomplete

08) Jaywalker

09) Reflection

10) There be dragons