Remember a simpler time? When all we craved for were some weird time signatures, odd instrumentation choices, and an open canvas? When "prog" was all about awe inspiring feats of musicianship and expression? Well, the good times are here once again (and never really left, this is mostly just a device to open this post) with Mad Vantage. The work of composer, multi-instrumentalist, and all around phenomenon SOLUNE, Mad Vantage is a project playing the kind of maximalist, no-holds-barred, nerdy progressive metal of yesteryear and that is a high compliment indeed. The thing that makes this project, and track, stand out from the pack is that SOLUNE and co. understand that technicality doesn't need to come at the expense of groove. There's more here than just a lot of notes and counting - there's soul.
I think the selling moment for me was the incredible guitar solo that bursts into life around the three minute mark. I just adore the way the complex licks play with the main line of the track, elaborating and enriching the space above it. Immediately after, the drums, bass, and synths get to have some fun with this main line, creating groovy iteration after groovy iteration on its basic spiral. From there, this line continues to spin, riding the inexorable momentum of the middle passages of the track to articulate and finally close out the long track. It's a joy for the senses, an intellectual piece of music that can be analyzed and understood but can also be danced and experienced.
Head on over to the project's Bandcamp to pre-order MINUTIAE. which this track is from. If you, like me, sometimes just get an itch for good old progressive metal, then this is the release for you.