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Project Creation's album here is
a hefty slab of bold rock which blends an even mixture of
symphonic rock, progressive metal, melodic AOR and atmospheric.
Project Creation seems to be the project creation of one Hugo
Flores, who plays everything. He is augmented by others who
provide the ingredients which set Project Creation apart.
These would be the addition of cello, flute and sax placed
in strategic positions all over the album, in case the listener
falls into expectation.***
Not sure what the album is about
or if it has a concept, but there is definately a planetary
theme of conservation and cosmic wonder. FLOATING WORLD is
one of those 70+ minute jobs, absolutely stuffed with music,
but thank God most of the music is decent enough to not grow
weary after a while. However, a 50+ minute disc probably would
have covered it as well. One think that is noticable is that
the heavy metal elements blend rather organically with the
more non-rock elements of the flute, new age synths, world
music influences etc. And it's not metal with a hint of those
elements, nor is it prog rock with a hint of metal elements.
It all occurs at the same time without sounding chaotic. This
makes for some atmospheric listening at home as well as rocking
in your car.***
Here are the tracks: THE FLOATING
WORLD: the title track starts with atmospheric overtones before
launching into some prime heavy rock with Dream Theatre flavorings.
The addition of cello and an aggressive piano solo give new
dimension to the ordinary world of prog-metal.***
LIVING UNDER A BLUE SKY: dual vocals
include female vocals which hover alongside male ones. A tastefull
saxophone solo wails and brick-like drums thump, and all is
good.***
THE DESERT PLANET: a brief and sombre
piano-led instrumental ballad with heavy atmospheres.***
THE CIVILIZATION: an atmospheric
intro gives way to some rocking and rolling, with strong harmonies.
The vocals and guitars keep it earthbound, but the cinematic
synths point it into higher stratospheres. Female vocals come
in again too. Play loud.***
MECHANICAL DRAGONFLIES: vocoderized
vocals, followed by some new agey atmospheres. This one has
a hybrid mechanical/world music feel, complete with flutes
and hovering passages. The mechanical drums are powerful.
***
ARRIVING: sax, keys and guitar swirl
around each other gently for this power ballad. Lyrically
this is about someone leaving their world behind in search
of the stars, only to be faced with the same sadness he had
on earth.***
WARMING UP THE MACHINES: the machines
are on and smoking.***
ARTIFICIAL SATELLITE: more 'world'
influences with flute and atmospheres before rocking. Unlike
a lot of metal, here you can hear the bass. There's also Eastern
elements, and loopy drums.***
INTERVENING: a cinematic synth
interlude.***
CREATING ATMOSPHERE: female vocals
return, and stay for most of the rest of the album. The title
pretty much sums it up. Hugo and his project creation create
some atmosphere.***
FIRST SPECIES: the previous track
almost flows into this one, a slower and dark dreamy track.
Nice keys, and female vocals stay for this one too. Around
this section of the album, there is a slight sameness to a
few of the tracks.***
THE SHINING PLANET: again, it segues
into this track. Here there are dreamy synths and atmospheric
guitars, another atmospheric rocker.***
CHEOPS: did they mean 'chops'?
Of that there are plenty, though much of them are of the atmospheric
variety. Flute gives it a more almost Celtic vibe, though
Eastern sounds are still there.***
RETURNING HOME: as expected, the
final track of the voyage is an atmospheric slow dazzle, slightly
anthemic in the atmospheric way. A narrative section and nice
guitar textures enhance. And with that the journey is over.***
I don't know too much about this
artist or project, but this is certainly one to listen to.
'Atmospheric metal' may or may not not be an actual acknowledged
sub-sub-genre, but FLOATING WORLD is an example.
Hugo Flores may be the guy to keep
an ear out for in the future.***
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