| Musical Style: Melodic Power Metal | Produced By: Markus Sigfridsson & Tobias Enbert |
| Record Label: Massacre | Country Of Origin: Sweden |
| Year Released: 2003 | Artist Website: Harmony |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 53:37 |
Harmony was put together in 2000 by guitarist Markus Sigfridsson and drummer Tobias Enbert. Recording its first and only demo the following year with Henrik Bath on lead vocals, Harmony signed to Massacre Records in 2002 and finalized its line up with the additions of bassist Andreas Olsson (Narnia, Divinefire & Wisdom Call) and keyboardist Magnum Holmberg. On its 2003 full length Massacre debut Dreaming Awake, Harmony takes a foundation of melodic metal and effectively combines it with elements of power metal and progressive metal. The end result is a very commendable effort in which the band puts forth an impressive display of confidence in its instrumental sound, cutting loose with several extended instrumental passages allowing Sigfridsson to display his first class abilities on lead guitar. Olsson and Enbert form a solid rhythm section, while Holmberg adds just the right amount of touch keyboards. Bath contributes a very fine mid-octave ranged voice with a nice classic rock feel.
Dreaming Awake showcases a refined production job allowing the lead guitar and drums to stand out beautifully in a mix featuring just the right amount of rhythm guitar keyboards. The only complaint worth noting, however, is that the bass guitar could have been placed a bit more prominently in the mix.
A beating heart and waves washing upon the shore introduces instrumental album opener "Into The Afterlife". After moving forward to a combination of rhythm guitar and double bass, a lead guitar and keyboard trade off closes out its last forty-five seconds.
Opening to a brief drum solo, "Eternity" smoothly proceeds in a double bass driven manner until it culminates for a sweeping chorus with a good melodic feel. A two minute long instrumental passage allows Sigfridsson to display his abilities on lead guitar. "Eternity" details how eternal life is only gained through Christ:
Someone told you there's a man called Christ
Came to earth in love
To save our lives (He said)
There's a way to paradise and
It's through me
Not your works, only I can set you free
Eternity - Where do you wanna be?
You must face the truth to see
Eternity - waits for all of thee
Only Christ can set you free
"Dreaming Awake" showcases one of the albums strongest melody lines. The song gets started in up-tempo fashion before slowing to an acoustic guitar for its first and second verse. After the rhythm guitar kicks in at the start of the third, it leads the way to a chorus with a huge infectious hook. Sigfridsson's superlative lead guitar work helps drive a sweeping two and a half minute long instrumental passage.
A slowly moving combination of piano and synthesizers carries the brief (1:26) instrumental "Fragile".
The beautiful hard rock power ballad "Without You" also highlights a superb melody. An acoustic guitar slowly propels "Without You" through its first verse until the rhythm guitar steps forward and carries it to a catchy chorus that in another era would have dominated FM radio. A slowly played but lengthy guitar solo helps take the song out past seven minutes. "Without You" conveys a message of comfort and hope:
In times when I can't see what's wrong or what is right
You help me see things clearly, You're my eyes, You're the Light
When I feel insecure, no help seems to be found
You take me by my hand, put my feet on solid ground
Sometime I feel alone, and no one seems to care
But You are by my side, and You will always be there
"The Fall", the albums third and final instrumental, slowly advances to a blend of keyboards and acoustic guitar underscored by female vocal harmonies.
"Fall Of Man" is carried from start to finish by a fast paced combination of rhythm guitar and double bass, a touch of vocal harmonies and organ accentuating the song as it reaches a fleeting chorus progressing at an upbeat tempo. Sigfridsson's lead guitar and Holberg's keyboards dual throughout a minute long instrumental section. "Fall Of Man" talks about exactly that:
It's time to turn back, turn back to what once was
Renew the life again, let the Spirit be led
Fight for what's true, reveal what is not
Let this Lion prove, He can change the greatest fall
Sounds like the roar of a Lion
It is the call of the One, who alters the fall of man
Beginning to an acoustic guitar solo, "When Shadows Fall" proceeds through its first and second verse to an immaculate blend of rhythm guitar and keyboards. Just the right amount of tight sounding double bass highlights the song as it attains a chorus with a catchy refuse to go away hook. "When Shadows Fall" focuses on allowing the Light to guide our path through the darkness:
Oh, when darkness falls
These words will lead my way, like a light on my trail
Oh, when the shadows fall, I will walk this way
Cause it's the light on my path
"Maze Of The Past" opens to a quickly moving combination of rhythm guitar and keyboards that carries its first and second verse in rapid fashion. Briefly slowing to a near crawl, the song regains its momentum for a classy chorus driven by a stylish blend vocal harmonies and double bass. Following a thirty second guitar solo, a slowly played guitar line is underlined by a piano to create an ethereal feel. As its title implies, "Maze Of The Past" talks about dealing with the past:
You're always awake so late at night
Cause' dreams of the past
Keep you away from the light
You're wandering around, in a maze of the past
Memories, burning on and on
Like, old stories
I wish they were gone
Fading in before abruptly taking off in a fast paced manner, "She" does not miss a beat as it evenly races to a chorus reinforced by just the right amount of polished background vocals. Synthesizers start an instrumental passage ending to a tasteful lead guitar and keyboard trade off. While quite solid from a musical standpoint, "She" is the albums only track in which Holberg's keyboards end up mixed a bit too prominently. "She" details an individual struggling with the past:
Pulls the sheets above her head
To forget all the scars that she hides inside
Closes her eyes, forgets the pain
To awake finding out her cry was in vain...
But in her eyes there is a fire
A growing sparkle reaching for a higher call
"Remember" takes off to a drum solo that gives way to a slowing moving combination of rhythm guitar and keyboards. After an acoustic guitar holds sway over the songs first verse, an organ enters the mix for the second and evenly leads the way through the third to a smooth sounding chorus with a nice laid back feel. A perfect blend of rhythm guitar and piano opens an instrumental passage peaking to an immaculately played guitar solo. "Remember" talks about perseverance and looking ahead to the future:
Remember, if tomorrow's the final day
Still plant your tree anyway
Sometimes it’s easier to give up and give in
But as a wise man said; run the race to win
Dreaming Awake is a very fine debut from a promising young band, the album quite consistent in that all of its material stands up under continuous play. A solid production job only adds to its appeal. At the same time, give Harmony a great deal of credit for the confidence in displays in its musicianship and instrumental sound. I see nothing but good things in the future from Harmony and eagerly anticipate its sophomore release.
Review by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: "Into The Afterlife" (2:06), "Eternity" (5:14), "Dreaming Awake" (6:44), "Fragile" (1:26), "Without You" (7:03), "The Fall" (2:20), "Fall Of Man" (4:38), "When Shadows Fall" (6:20), "Maze Of The Past" (6:48), "She" (5:03), "Remember" (5:50)
Musicians
Henrik Bath – Lead Vocals
Markus Sigfridsson – Guitars
Magnus Holmberg - Keyboards
Andreas Olsson – Bass
Tobias Enbert – Drums
Also Reviewed: Darkwater - Calling The Earth To Witness, 7 Days - The Weight Of The World
