“Soundscapes” is the title of the debut album / project of ABEL SEQUERA, drummer of AOR / Hard Rockers XTASY, also for melodic metal act DEATH KEEPERS led by talented Michael Vescera, who also contribute here with his amazing vocals.
This is a mammoth project featuring more than 50 musicians from all the world, including Derek Sherinian (SONS OF APOLLO), Pete Lesperance (HAREM SCAREM), Mike Lepond (SYMPHONY X), Diego Tejeida (ex-HAKEN), Mats Haugen (CIRCUS MAXIMUS), Magnus Henriksson (ECLIPSE), Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN), Philip Bynoe (Steve VAI), Andreas Blomqvist (SEVENTH WONDER), Tony Hernando (LORDS OF BLACK), just to name a few.
Despite the number of participants, ”Soundscapes” is avery coheshive piece of melodic progressive metal / rock, very well mixed & produced. At places brings to mind DREAM THATER, at others ASIA, then some ALLEN / LANDE, AXEL RUDI PELL, etc – there’s many musical references.
The pearl of the album is the melodic metallic last epic track ‘A Place Called Home’ where Vescera shines at the mic, but there’s also other 5 singers, such as Marina LaTorraca (Frontiers signed band PHANTOM ELITE), and Johny Giner (POWER QUEST).
The entire album is quite entertaining with unexpected tempo shifts and twists.
The aforementioned ”A Place Called Home” a favorite, but also ”Above the Summit” featuring Mats Haugen (CIRCUS MAXIMUS), Pete Lesperance (HAREM SCAREM), Daniel Palmqvist (BEYOND THE KATAKOMB), Carles Salse (XTASY, SINERGIA) on guitars, bass player Alex Romeu (FIRE OF REVENGE), keyboardist Kyke Serrano, and Paul Logue (EDEN’S CURSE, James LaBRIE) on spoken words.
Another strong cut comes with ”Wreck of Souls – The Storm”, with terrific ivory work from Derek Sherinian (SONS OF APOLLO), Carles Salse (XTASY) & Mike Abdow (FATES WARNING) on guitar, Miguel Pereira (WITHEM) on bass.
Impressive debut from ABEL SEQUERA who not only veers from the AOR / hard rock of XTASY but a wide spectrum of genres & styles. Intelligent songwriting, great performances and top production / mix is what you’ll find here.
Hope there’s other in the making soon.
Highly Recommended
Tracklist:
01. The Beginning Of The End - The Departure (06:32)
02. Beyond Known Frontiers - Traveler Companion (07:51)
03. In The Steps Of Pioneers - Old Paths To Discovery (05:57)
04. Wreck Of Souls - The Storm (06:04)
05. Saghillie Illahie - The Island (08:19)
06. Above The Summit - The Rapture (06:38)
07. Maat - Cosmic Order (05:47)
08. Tabula Rasa - A Place Called Home (13:06)
line up:
Abel Sequera
With:
Guitarists: Roland Grapow, Magnus Henriksson, Pete Lesperance, Mats Haugen, Jeff Kollman, Simone Mularoni, Bill Hudson, Tony Hernando, Marcelo Barbosa, Mike Abdow, Benjamin Ellis, Brendt Allman, Daniel Palmqvist, Max Ostro, Michael Harris, Richard Hallebeek, Chris Brooks, Marcel Coenen, Milan Polak, Markus Sigfridsson, Ponch Satrio, Robert Rodrigo, Blake Scopino, Alberto Barrero, Eddy Gary, Antonio Maties, Mario Jovis, Albert Florenza and Carles Salse.
Keyboardists: Derek Sherinian, Diego Tejeida, Gary Wehrkamp, Mikael Blanc, Mistheria, Sergey Boykov, Ariel Perchuk, Kyke Serrano, Eduardo Göngora and Rio Ricardo.
Bassists: Mike Lepond, Philip Bynoe, Randy George, Andreas Blomqvist, Miguel Pereira, Jonas Kuhlberg, Joan Vigo and Alex Romeu.
Singers: Michael Vescera, Marco Basile, Marina LaTorraca, Roger Batlle, Johny Giner and Deo Boko
ABEL SEQUERA (XTASY) – Soundscapes [feat. Pete Lesperance, Michael Vescera] – Soundscapes (2023)
 |
