Artist: ATHEM
Album: THE EXTENDED MIND (DIGI)

Release date: 2010
Media type: CD

In recent times the biggest growth of the prog rock and metal scene seems to happen in Europe. Italy, Greece and even our own country have had quite a few bands and albums added. A band that changes that scale is the New Jersey based Athem. Five young talents made ‘The Extended Mind’ which is well crafted and very nice indeed. The biography calls them ‘grandchildren of Yes’ whatever that means. At first sight and hearing singer Will Shaw and guitarist Shawn Baldissero stand out with the not commonly sounding keyboard sounds as well. Shaw has the range of James laBrie but has a bit more subtlety so that means something for the future. Balissero shows his diversity on the guitar, masters his instrument like Steve Howe (Yes, Asia). For comparison think of Dream Theater during their ‘Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulance’ era without sounding like a copycat at all. Top shelf prog rock!

TRACKLIST:

1  Overture  1:35  
2  Fallen God  6:25  
3  Away  6:01  
4  Prince Of Lies  7:23  
5  Wake Up Screaming  7:32  
6  Enigmatic Reverie  12:28  
7  Merciless Eyes  4:58  
8  The Extended Mind  5:01  
9  Lifting The Vail  15:26 

LINE-UP:

William Shaw (vocals)
Keith Elliot (guitar, keyboards)
Shawn Baldissero, Louis Vasile (guitar)
Mike Haas (bass guitar)
Alex Gonzales (drums, percussion)