Sense of Change

Artist: Sieges Even
Label: Steamhammer Europe
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Import
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1
EAN: 4001617764121
ASIN: B0000073SN

Release Date: 1995-10-05

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Listmania:

Best underappreciated albums of the Nineties
German Prog Metal
Progressive Extremity

Tracks:

Prelude: Ode to Sisyphus
Waking Hours
Behind Closed Doors
Change of Seasons
Dimensions
Prime
Epigram for the Last Straw
These Empty Places

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Customer Reviews:

Not what I expected from the reviews.......2006-10-06

I bought this CD based on the numerous 5 star reviews I read here. All I can say is, it didn't strike me the way it struck those other reviewers. I enjoy Rush, Fates Warning and Queensryche - as so many reviewers drew parallels to these bands. Are there similarities - yes, but I'll take the originals over Sieges Even pretty much any day.

There's talent here - no question about the musicianship of the members of this band, but for the song construction - it wanders and is littered with 'noodling' and constant tempo and key changes that after a while, just flat out became irritating. It seemed that just when a song began to coalesce, some needless key change, or irritating noodle would mess the composition up. I got sick of it. It seemed that there were constant changes just for that reason - no intrinsic value at all.

Quite frankly, if you want to buy this CD, I'll be selling mine on Amazon Marketplace pretty soon - cheap -.

This CD was just plain irritating.

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!.......2005-02-08

Sieges Even 'A Sense of Change' is an absolute progressive Tour de Force of a recording. In what ranks in one of my top 5 favorite progressive metal CDs I've ever heard, this mid-period recording from the German quartet will take you from the highly complex to the extremely melodic and everything else in between. The song writing is superb, the musicians are top-notch and the production is absolutely crystal clear. Those looking to whet their "metal" roots will not find that characteristic here. Instead, this recording contains more of a fusion or lighter-mood approach, mainly led by the ala'-Alex-Lifeson (Rush) sound & brilliant arpeggio guitar work of axeman, Markus Steffen. And as a fellow drummer, I can't think of a better musical and "part-oriented" drummer as Alex Holzswarth (outside of Mark Zonder from Fates Warning). Jogi Kaiser, vocalist, creates plentiful melodies that still causes the "chill machine" to kick in when I listen to the CD (which makes me wonder why he wasn't used on any other future Sieges Even recordings). For those looking for the complex arrangements (with great melodic structure as well), try tracks such as "The Waking Hours," "Behind Closed Doors," and "Prime." And for a journey through the light orchestral quartet sounds, try the poignant "Change of Seasons" (wow, those lyrics KILL me!).

But, what would a review be without some warning shots fired, right!? I must admit, when I first listened to this CD, I was a bit irritated by the little extra musical "tags" put at the end of every phrase. The songs are very busy and loaded with constant changes, but what completely outweighs those would-be-negative characteristics is the presence of great SONG underneath all the "fluff" in every track. Each tune has a memorable chorus, great lyrics with excellent melodies and very creative/melodic musical parts as well, despite all the busy part-writing. It's a tough listen at first, but when it hits, it knocks you over like a ton of bricks. And to support some critical ears out there, this recording is blatently reminiscent of Rush in all it's glory (especially Steffen's obvious similar style & sound to Alex Lifeson). However, if you can see past the extreme similarities (OK, some may say EXACT similarities), you'll hopefully become settled with the fact that this is where Rush SHOULD be today from a song-writing/compositional perspective. Even with the comparisons, Sieges has a style all their own and a song-writing strength to convince even the nay-sayer of progressive metal! Go out and get this NOW!

Peak Of The Band.......2003-09-30

With A Sense Of Change Sieges Even created their masterpiece.The songs feature a lot of technical playing by the guitarist of SE,as well as a very solid rythm section by the Holzwarth brothers. However the singer of the band really makes the difference and gives the band a really artistic air. He later left the band to study opera but in this album his contribution is evident. Thus the orchestrations of the songs have an undeniable edge and the two songs in which a string quartet plays too are diamonds. Add to this the other songs too and you've got a winner

rush better than rush.......2003-03-06

This album with their previous album steps is excellent music along the very best of rush circa 1976. Their vocalists are horrible but it is still worth listening.

One of the true gems in progressive music.......2000-08-15

Back in 1991, Sieges Even, a Progrock/metal band from Germany, made a perfect album. If you're a fan of progressive bands such as Fates Warning or Rush, you should get this album, it's really an essential album. The musicianship is executed perfectly and the singer fits to this kind of music just nicely. Jogi Kaiser (The Singer) really has THE voice, the range to impress you with every listening. He also does some amazing tricks with his voice. The drummer also shines here, his style is HIGHLY progressive and insane at times. I haven't heard this complex yet acceptable drumming ever. 'A Sense Of Change' is one of those albums which gives you something new everytime you listen to it. Highly recommended.

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