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September 2023

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Factory of Dreams: Melotronical

Symphonic/Progressive/Power Metal

3.75/5.0

ProgRock Records
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by Craig Hartranft,  03.07.2011

Ditto. Much of what I said about Factory of Dreams' sophomore release A Strange Utopia may be said about the third release Melotronical. You can read my review of the previous album here.

Talented multi-instrumentalist Hugo Flores (g,b,k,v) and his vocalist Jessica Lehto return with another concept album enveloped in epic and magisterial symphonic progressive metal. Melotronical revolves around the evolution of an electronic molecule into a living breathing entity. Call this cyber-prog it you wish. Following past material, this work involves huge arrangements. Flores, as expected, packs every song with layers and layers of musical verbage. By Example the opener Enter Nucleon is bombastic and expansive: Flores wastes no time unleashing his full arsenal of musical tricks. Only to confuse you, Flores allows for some minimalist additions to the compositions. Whether keyboards, guitar, or vocals, FOD can lull you into a slumber before returning to the explosive and expansive measures that defines the music. A Taste of Paradise and Dimension Crusher are witnesses.

Again, as on FOD's previous album, Flores attempts to pack as much musical 'stuff' into each song. Is he that articulate, deft, or imaginative to do it? After three album, I've given in. There's no stopping Flores. Given the tools and studio (or ProTools) time, he's either a genius or a self-indulgent sociopath. Genuine progressive music requires a certain degree of patience and attentiveness. Melotronical requires both as this is a lavish and excessive work. But it's also difficult to ignore. There's much to enjoy here, if you give it a chance.

Genuine progressive music requires a certain degree of patience and attentiveness. Melotronical requires both as this is a lavish and excessive work. But it's also difficult to ignore. There's much to enjoy here, if you give it a chance.

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Formed in 1999 by singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Erik Martensson, Sweden's Eclipse is well into their third decade of making music. In the recent past, their recordings and reputation have ... [ Read More ]