ZERO GRAVITY: Passages (Demo)

Choice Of The Month Sept 2005
Cover	Release	Style
	2005-07-21	Progressive Metal
	Label
	self released
	Website
	Zero Gravity
	Contact
	info@zerogravityband.be
	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	32:40	-
	Review by	Rating
	Edwin	8,5/10
nederlands	Review
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a Belgian website giving a Belgian rock band some extra attention - we don’t have too many of them as it is. But fair is fair, and we only do that when the band in question really deserves it. That certainly is the case with Zero Gravity, who have just released their second demo, “Passages” – a fine piece of intense, powerful music that is sure to please lots of progressive metal freaks. The band’s first demo, “Synchronicity”, was reviewed by colleague Danny back in 2003. I’m afraid I haven’t heard that one, but Danny already picked up on the quality the band had to offer – something which is definitely apparent on this “Passages” as well. Quite a lot has changed since that first offering, though. In Sven Dupon, the band have found an excellent, very versatile singer; keyboard player Johan Vingerhoed has left and all keyboards are now played by founding member/guitarist Marc Beckers. Alex Vanhaesendonck has joined as an extra guitarist. I can only imagine this has helped the band in their growth, because this “Passages” is quite impressive. Most obvious influences are Pain Of Salvation and Fates Warning. In the diversity and different styles of singing, they also remind me of Australian band Voyager. Yes, these songs are quite diverse and adventurous – the title track in particular is spectacular. A cleverly built-up progressive rock song with great keyboard sounds, nice piano passages, exceptional guitar solos, melodic bass lines and excellent, emotional singing. With “Subside”, the band explores more of a metal sound - the alternation of the gentle, melodic parts and aggressive passages really works. It never gets too heavy, though, and even when the band gets into overdrive, it still sounds melodic and controlled. “Lost In Transition” is a first-rate instrumental and “Revelation” has some excellent piano bits and a great guitar sound. The musicianship is excellent; the drums in particular sound very pleasing to me – it’s one thing that puts me off of most metal nowadays. The vocals range from emotional, melodic crooning and theatrical bombast to aggressive, Metallica-like growling and even the odd grunt. The spoken parts, which appear in every song, seem to be a trademark of Zero Gravity - they add some doomy atmosphere to the already dark music. The band might want to be careful not to over-use this, though, as that would diminish the effect it now has. Don’t be put off by the ‘demo’ tag. “Passages” is just about as professional looking and sounding as can be expected from a self-released item. I strongly advise you to go over to the Zero Gravity website and try out the soundclips of this “Passages”. I’m sure you’ll be as thoroughly impressed as I am.
Musicians
Sven Dupon: Vocals, guitars Marc Beckers: Guitars, keyboards Alex Vanhaesendonck: Guitars Dirk Vollon: Bass Pieter Belmans: Drums
Tracklist
Passages (10:15) Subside (5:40) Lost In Transition (7:46) Revelation (8:57)
Discography
Synchronicity (2003 – demo) Passages (2005 – demo)


Beekstraat 1 - B-2640 Mortsel - Belgium