Project X

Item: Images of a Fallen World
Author: Rob Szarka

Images of a Fallen World

(1995)

Reviewed by Rob Szarka

YouTube

Label independentThe LighthouseApril 1995

experimental heavy metal progressive metal progressive rock

This is one of the most impressive independent releases I've heard in some time. Project X is still a work in progress, but this collection shows a great deal of potential.

The seven songs on Images of a Fallen World are the kind of complex creations that too few bands are recording today. They will, however, be familiar to fans of 70's and 80's "progressive" rock. The sound of Project X invites comparison to many artists, especially Rush (circa Moving Pictures) and Argent's Russ Ballard. Here and there, Pink Floyd or The Mothers come to mind. The band also wanders, at times, into more conventional metal territory.

Progressive rock, by its nature, demands virtuosity and top-notch production. While the production here is surprisingly good, it's not quite as good as it needs to be. The guitar sounds range from too clean to overprocessed. The vocals, while not bad enough to make me cringe, could have used an electronic helping hand.

Project X's reach occasionally exceeds its grasp in the composition and technique departments as well. The varied movements within songs are interesting, but they sometimes feel stitched together, not seamless. The lyrics are often superfluous, and the vocals do nothing to rescue them. Too often, the lead guitarist gets caught up in aimless and repetitive noodling. One lick in particular must appear in a dozen places on the album.

But if Images of a Fallen World falls short, it's only because it aims high. It is still quite an accomplishment, and I'd recommend it to any metal or rock fan who appreciates music with more than a backbeat and a blues riff.