Brutiful_ViXn
Reign In Metal
Zodiac :  Metal Reputation : 88
Join date : 2012-01-05
Location : Vacationing in Hell
 | |  Assignment - Inside Of The Machine (2013) Album Review | |
Assignment - Inside Of The Machine (2013)
Mausoleum Records/Rock N Growl Promotion -- Running Time 68:13
'Inside Of The Machine' is the third album from German Progressive/Power Metal band Assignment. At nearly seventy minutes in length it is a vast concept album about the trials, tribulations and life struggles of main character 'Nick'. There is actually so much happening here that it takes more than a few listens to become accustomed to what's going on but the more you do the better the album becomes and it is very good!
Similar in style to Avantasia, Assignment have enlisted the help of guest singers to provide the vocals for various parts and it's a strong lineup! 'Mats Levén' (Yngwie Malmsteen, At Vance, Therion), 'Michael Bormann' (Jaded Heart, Bonfire, Bloodbound), 'Carsten Kaiser' (Angel Dust) and 'Robin Beck' provide some all round fantastic performances and lift the quality even further! 'Bernie Versailles (Redemption) also supplies some killer guitar work. Not to be outdone the core Assignment lineup of 'Goran Panic' (guitars & composition), 'Heiko Maag' (bass), 'Sven Pollkötter (drums) and especially 'Gert Sprick' (keyboards), who provides some wonderful musicianship all play their parts extremely well.
If you like the aforementioned Avantasia plus Fates Warning, Ayreon, and little bits of Malmsteen's Rising Force, Queensryche, Savatage, Royal Hunt and Pretty Maids then you'll really dig Assignment and 'Inside Of The Machine' There are even some Jazz influences appearing on the piano work, which do not sound out of place at all, check out the song 'Another Sacrifice'. Melody abounds over most tracks with a mixture of heavy and quieter passages with some Neo-Classical elements thrown in as well, not surprising considering who's singing. Even though there is plenty of variety it's not the case that the individual musicians put themselves first, everything seems to fit into the context of 'the song'!
Personally, it doesn't beat the excellence of Avantasia's newest album 'The Mystery Of Time' or the absolute majesty of Jupiter Society's latest 'From Endangered To Extinct' ('Mats Levén' sings on that as well) but it's not far behind. 'Inside Of The Machine is the first Assignment album I've heard but I will certainly be checking out the first two 'Progressive Changes' (2004) & 'Disunion Denied (2008). Musically strong and lyrically interesting they are another great Progressive Metal Band to add to your list of 'must listen to'! Great cover art as well!
http://www.assignment-music.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AssignmentMusic
http://www.rockngrowl.com/assignment-messiahs-fall-available-for-streaming/
http://www.music-avenue.net/mausoleum/
Review written for Brutiful Entertainment by Rick Tilley
www.facebook.com/richard.tilley.351
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