THE ONEIRA: Injection (PROGRESSIVE METAL,A.O.R.): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Created in 2010 by Filippos Gougoumis, whose name easily betrays his Greek origins, The Oneira has grown over the years with musicians who are for the majority italians. If the band claims influences like Genesis or Yes, it also cites more muscular sources of inspiration like Saga and Rush, but also Styx, Journey, Def Leppard and Dream Theater. And the "progressive rock" label that seems to be attached to the band can be perplexing when listening to an album that oscillates between muscular rock, 80's AOR ('Still Free to Choose', 'Make my Day' halfway between Asia, Toto and Chicago (without the horns)) and soft progressive metal ('Know That Feeling', 'Trust No One', 'Over the Mountain').

The whole is played with vigour and speed. If the soli are short, they are frequent: guitars (which take the lion's share) and keyboards regularly clash in heated contests where the winner seems to be the one who will reach the highest decibel rate. Add to this a drummer from heavy metal who proves it with a game as present as it is powerful, and a snoring bass that doesn't do extras, and you'll understand that fans of big sound will find here something to please them. Not to be outdone, the singer expresses himself most of the time "full lungs" in a convincing way, having the trunk to ensure a credible performance, power being privileged over sensitivity.

The systematic tutti side (asides like the piano on 'Behind the Sun' are rare) will tire the listeners for whom the decibel debauchery is not synonymous with quality. Disappointed too will be the purist amateurs of progressive rock because the compositions are neither convoluted nor daring. With the exception of 'Over the Mountain', which has the good taste to get off the beaten track, most of the tracks are in a very classic verse/chorus format, certainly less linear than the one commonly found in classic rock or hard rock, but light years away from the developments inspired by a Yes or Genesis of the belle époque.

"Injection" is an album on which The Oneira shows a beautiful vitality for lack of originality and nuances. The nervous playing of the musicians will more easily seduce AOR and metal fans than pure progressive rock adepts. - Official website

THE ONEIRA

INJECTION

ROCKSHOTS RECORDS

PROGRESSIVE METAL