Album review : PARALYDIUM – Universe Calls

August 3rd, 2024 by brianmc

Frontiers [Release date : 09.08.24]

The success of a Progressive Rock album is almost totally dependent on creating a unique sonic landscape.

The reviews of Paralydium’s previous release criticised the band’s lack of ambition. That there was no apparent attempt to shrug off the genre’s tropes and break new ground.

In the post modern world of contemporary progressive rock, where cold, hard, sharp bursts of wiry axework percolate through pounding, percussive riffs, there is an expectation that whatever band in question will add a few hypnotically drifting passages. Something cinematic, widescreen, emotive.

Paralydium have come with the answers, some convincing, some less so.

At times the guitars and rhythms sound performative, the frenetic prog workouts not quite convincing, and they then shake it up with bluesy guitar breaks, set against heavily cinematic scoring, as on ‘Prelude’. Very effective.

Alexander Lycke’s generally strident vocals are sometimes reined back, and that works big time too, especially on ‘The Arcane Exploration, Part 1’, a standout track, effectively the album’s lynch pin.

‘Forging The Past’ is filled with Prog textures, skilfully styled, in part stagey and theatrical. In part bold and cinematic. Mainly contributed by John Berg and Mike Blanc, guitars and keyboards.

Lycke again reveals his versatility on an almost spoken word vocal here, adding to the song’s sense of drama.

George Egg and Jonathan Olsson, drums and bass, are a formidable rhythmic force, unobtrusive but impressively effective. Their muscular, inventive percussion drops into a supple but unfunky groove at times, notably on ‘Sands Of Time’, indicating a much more commercial direction, but the closer it gets the more it shies away, like a magic spell constantly being broken. Very frustrating.

And just when you think the recording has lost something by taking an obvious route on the map, they come up with the fabulous ‘The Arcane Exploration Part 2’. A tight, racy, emotionally loaded construction, with everybody firing on whatever number of cylinders today’s Prog bands fire on.

Universe Calls is never easy listening. It takes time and work. Worth it though. ***1/2

Review by Brian McGowan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 November 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024

ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)