Title: SANDSTONE - Purging the Past
metal4life - March 24, 2009 07:55 AM (GMT)
SANDSTONE
Purging the Past
Casket 2009
Well I know a little about Northern Irish rock bands. Well one band to be precise and that's Stormzone who are actually a great melodic rock band. Sandstone are now the latest band from "Norn Iron" that I've come across. Sandstone have been a going concern since 2003 according to the promo sheet and have had a fair amount of success as a band in various competitions and live shows and an EP, but this is the first I've heard of them but as usual better late than never.
Anyway this last line should lead you into my thinking regarding this CD. This stuff is not bad at all and I'm glad I've finally wrapped my lugholes around this album. Sandstone peddles modern rock with one foot still in the old school but definitely more than one toe in newer waters. Their style is quite hard to pinpoint actually and the Neo-NWOBHM creation or hybrid used in the promo sheet is a very apt explanation indeed. They have hints of 'foot on the monitor' old school action and then they have really high brow epic prog rock tendencies which reminds me of Polish masters, Riverside. The production on the record is not without fault as it's a touch weak and muddy on the guitars but just about acceptable. More punch or clarity is a personal preference of mine with regard to guitars and always helps a new and upcoming band no end.
The songs are mainly very melodic and to the point but with definite prog leanings. The vocals of Sean McBay are fairly high pitched but very clear and really quite nice and pleasant to listen to though with some reservations. On some of the higher parts he is getting close to being slightly whiny but we can forgive him those slight irregularities because most of the time he's doing an OK job. Karma is a very nice and emotional ballad and a song that immediately stands out. Fingerprints shows the band in full old school rock mode with a steady riff attack and melodic vocals with a strong hook. Like I said at times Mr. McBay slightly whines but he is a decent vocalist but not a great singer. I guess playing guitar at the same time makes it quite difficult as well. Son of Carthage is a faster more Maidenesque tune and is actually very catchy indeed although very cheesy as well. One thing that is very impressive is the consummate and wonderfully melodic lead playing which is a bonus indeed. Great job on that front lads.
As the album progresses some of the limitations of the band begin to surface with regards to songs, production and instrumental skill. The album at 15 songs is quite a long affair and I feel they could have trimmed the album to 12 songs as there are a number of fillers which don't really add anything to the album. They tend to start peddling around similar ideas and the vocals get slightly annoying at times. However given a bigger production budget, increased confidence vocally speaking, the band has the necessary ingredients to get themselves noticed in the melodic rock/metal world. They know a cool bouncy riff when they hear one and their songs whilst not earth shatteringly exciting or brilliant, work well and show they have the right ideas and formulas that appeal to melodic rock fans. For a debut album this is a strong base on which to build and there's a whole heap of pub rock bands out there that are not at Sandstone's level and yet there's plenty here that can be improved on a future release. I still think Stormzone is the best band from Northern Ireland but at least they have a little competition on their hands thanks to Sandstone.
© Pirage Forsi
Rating *** (3.0/5.0)
Buy @ Amazon
Purging the Past
Casket 2009
Well I know a little about Northern Irish rock bands. Well one band to be precise and that's Stormzone who are actually a great melodic rock band. Sandstone are now the latest band from "Norn Iron" that I've come across. Sandstone have been a going concern since 2003 according to the promo sheet and have had a fair amount of success as a band in various competitions and live shows and an EP, but this is the first I've heard of them but as usual better late than never.
Anyway this last line should lead you into my thinking regarding this CD. This stuff is not bad at all and I'm glad I've finally wrapped my lugholes around this album. Sandstone peddles modern rock with one foot still in the old school but definitely more than one toe in newer waters. Their style is quite hard to pinpoint actually and the Neo-NWOBHM creation or hybrid used in the promo sheet is a very apt explanation indeed. They have hints of 'foot on the monitor' old school action and then they have really high brow epic prog rock tendencies which reminds me of Polish masters, Riverside. The production on the record is not without fault as it's a touch weak and muddy on the guitars but just about acceptable. More punch or clarity is a personal preference of mine with regard to guitars and always helps a new and upcoming band no end.
The songs are mainly very melodic and to the point but with definite prog leanings. The vocals of Sean McBay are fairly high pitched but very clear and really quite nice and pleasant to listen to though with some reservations. On some of the higher parts he is getting close to being slightly whiny but we can forgive him those slight irregularities because most of the time he's doing an OK job. Karma is a very nice and emotional ballad and a song that immediately stands out. Fingerprints shows the band in full old school rock mode with a steady riff attack and melodic vocals with a strong hook. Like I said at times Mr. McBay slightly whines but he is a decent vocalist but not a great singer. I guess playing guitar at the same time makes it quite difficult as well. Son of Carthage is a faster more Maidenesque tune and is actually very catchy indeed although very cheesy as well. One thing that is very impressive is the consummate and wonderfully melodic lead playing which is a bonus indeed. Great job on that front lads.
As the album progresses some of the limitations of the band begin to surface with regards to songs, production and instrumental skill. The album at 15 songs is quite a long affair and I feel they could have trimmed the album to 12 songs as there are a number of fillers which don't really add anything to the album. They tend to start peddling around similar ideas and the vocals get slightly annoying at times. However given a bigger production budget, increased confidence vocally speaking, the band has the necessary ingredients to get themselves noticed in the melodic rock/metal world. They know a cool bouncy riff when they hear one and their songs whilst not earth shatteringly exciting or brilliant, work well and show they have the right ideas and formulas that appeal to melodic rock fans. For a debut album this is a strong base on which to build and there's a whole heap of pub rock bands out there that are not at Sandstone's level and yet there's plenty here that can be improved on a future release. I still think Stormzone is the best band from Northern Ireland but at least they have a little competition on their hands thanks to Sandstone.
© Pirage Forsi
Rating *** (3.0/5.0)
Buy @ Amazon