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5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

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Band
Imp
Title
Ashes in the Hourglass
Type
LP/EP
Company
NuParadigm Music
YOR
2004
Style
Progressive
Popular Reviews
9/14/2004 - Review by: Frank Hill
Imp - Ashes In The Hourglass - NuParadigm Records Reviewed by: Nailer

Track Listing
1. Intro
2. Successors
3. Demise of Man
4. The last Descendant
5. The Great Arrival
6. Onslaught
Under the moniker of "prog metal" a wide subset exists from the power metal leaning of old Queensryche, to the dizzy complexities of Watchtower to the offbeat twiddley stuff that I can't connect with at all. Being derivative of the early power-prog of Fates Warning isn't so bad for diminutively-named IMP who shred a hundred riffs behind grandiose concepts that stretch back through time and reach out beyond the stars. No Lovecraft monsters need apply, though.

Female vocalist Monica Janssen (Acidict, Thripthong and At Daybreak) carries the set, the Yin to John Arch's Yang. She's out of element with the sprinkling of vocal growls that come across as pandering to tastes better left to a male voice or Glassgow/Otep throat, but she shines beautifully with the melodic leads:

"Beneath the silver moon, on an eerie night / dancing shadows swayed in starlight, / the black blood / of Eden in their eyes"

There's the strength of voice that belies the bands name and the key that could carry them on.

Score: 7.5

--Nailer 09.10.04
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: IMP
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
 REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Ashes in the Hourglass
2004
NuParadigm Music
Frank Hill9/14/2004
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: IMP
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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