Member:
Darksinger
Date:
2/1/2006
Leger De Main's A Lasting Impression is actually the reissue of the first two Leger De Main albums, The Concept Of Our Reality and Second First Impression, with two added acoustic versions of songs from the debut album, "Crystal Fortune" and "Immobile Time". The sound, for those of you seeking to compare it to something, is more along the lines of Annie Haslam/Renaissance meets Rush. The solid vocals of Melissa Blair framed in heavy bass and intricate guitar work are very good and there are hints of Celtic flavor here and there.
However, at least on The Concept Of Our Reality, it's not exceptionally powerful. Although I am more biased towards the powerful prog metal such as Opeth and Age of Silence, Concept seemed to be aimed in the right direction as far as sound, but it lacked that edge to it. The potential is there, especially in "Crystal Fortune" and "Time Immobile", but it never seems fully realized. In other words, it lacks "umph", to use a cliché'. The guitar work shows talent without feeling. Technically, it is great, but on an emotional level, it is bland. The two added tracks really bring nothing to the album.
Apparently, the band picked up on this shortcoming and livened things up considerably for Second First Impression. The sound is inspired here and is drawing closer to the energy and power of bands such as Rush. Chris Rodler puts more emotion in his playing, there seems to be more layering of sound and the songs, especially "Changes With The Day", have some catchy hooks in them. The acoustic work seems reminescent to Opeth's Damnation and Deliverance. The drums, though, are the Achilles' Heal of this effort. Brett Rodler seems a bit uneven at times and appears to miss the mark when attempting prog metal's speed drumming, as if he's afraid to "attack" the instrument. He gets some of the idea in "Changes With The Day"-if only he carried it over the rest of the album.
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