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Paralydium: Universe Calls
Paralydium - Universe Calls Album Art

Paralydium: Universe Calls

Melodic Progressive Metal
5.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 28.08.2024 | Released: 23.08.2024

Better than four years later, and having survived the quandary of the Covid pandemic, Sweden's Paralydium returns with their long expected sophomore release, Universe Calls. Formed in 2015 by guitarist John Berg (ex-Dynazty) as The Paralydium Project, the quintet quickly dropped their eponymous debut EP in the same year. Five years later their debut long player Worlds Beyond arrived on the Frontiers Music label. Now, Paralydium offers Universe Calls which features new vocalist Alexander Lycke, formally with Astrakhan.

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Paralydium

Musically, of the album, Paralydium offers: "We've delved deeply into our progressive roots ... Long-time fans will recognize the expansive, open-world qualities reminiscent of our EP, now featuring longer tracks and broader arrangements. The album is a blend of Worlds Beyond with a more epic approach, while also fully exploring our progressive side with complex time signatures and immersive sections."


Of the themes, the band adds, "Lyrically, the album focuses on characters navigating their destinies through conquests, restoration, and exploration. They face the challenges of time, striving to shape a hopeful future. Themes of time, destiny, and the pursuit of truth and hope highlight the resilience and determination of these characters."

Speaking to the songs, and music within, Paralydium succeeds in their promise of creating an immersive prog experience. While satisfyingly complex in arrangements, the songs are equally accessible thanks to song melody, vocal and guitar harmony, and riffs and rhythm that propel the groove. As with previous albums, every player gets plenty of room to stretch their musical skills, notably with the thrilling guitar solos in tandem with synth solos. All these things are self-evident across the album, and significant within The Arcane Exploration Pts I & II.

Keyboards with the rhythm section find their prominence within Prelude. Within Forging The Past the synth take a more symphonic part, but the rhythm section excels also lead by Georg H Egg' spry drumming. (Which is to say is phenomenal throughout.) Combined with Jonathan Olsson's bass lines, the duo leads the movement of Caught In A Dream, definitely a prog song yet with notable refrain. Interlude offers listeners soft acoustic guitar segue.

All said, Universe Calls displays Paralydium's immense skill and talent in creating compelling, creative, and accessible melodic progressive metal. They can only get better and so be a force for future great music in the genre. Easily recommended.



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The Take Away

All said, Universe Calls displays Paralydium's immense skill and talent in creating compelling, creative, and accessible melodic progressive metal. They can only get better and so be a force for future great music in the genre. Easily recommended.

Support the artist, click the link below to buy the album at Amazon (US site) in your favorite format.

Purchase Paralydium - Universe Calls at Amazon
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