DIMENSION

Tracklist:

1. Tree of conscience
2. Ancient song
3. Freedom land
4. Broken heart
5. Life
6. Dreams
7. The next in line
8. Ego
9. Egoman


I only have a handful of bands from Mexico, mainly because the majority of them are Spanish-language bands and as of right now, I haven't been able to get into the Spanish language like I have the Russian language. Dimension is from Mexico, and while a few of the members were previously in a Spanish-language neo-classical metal band called Perturbador, this band has chosen the English language. They actually live in the U.S. currently, and have signed with U.S.-based Nightmare Records.

'Ego' is Dimension's 2nd CD, and while their debut 'Universal' was pure progressive metal, much of 'Ego' could be labeled progressive power metal. The best band comparison is probably Symphony X, but other bands that have come to mind are Suspyre, Darkwater, DGM, Ivory Tower, and of course, there are plenty of Dream Theater-like moments as well. The tempo ranges from very slow to fast, there are lots of twists and turns, some neo-classical passages, and the guitars have a strong bite to them. Though 'Universal' (their debut) is good progressive metal, there are some wierd and experimental parts too, and overall I like 'Ego' a lot more, though prog maniacs are probably shaking their heads right now.

The CD has a terrific start, as the first 3 songs ("Tree of conscience", "Ancient song" and "Freedom land") are very catchy, offer up some speed, some cool neo-classical parts, and the guitar work is just excellent. I even like the modern-sounding track 4 "Broken heart", as it has an Ivory Tower vibe and a fairly intense chorus. The crunchy track 5 "Life", the slow and mesmerizing track 6 "Dreams", and the catchy track 7 "The next in line" are also very solid. But making sure they draw the attention of prog lovers, they've given us an ultra-long song, and track 8 "Ego" is it, clocking in at 20 minutes. It's quite good however, and the closing "Egoman" is a nice slow song that will surely have you thinking of some of Dream Theater's slow material.

To be honest, I'm really surprised I like this as much as I do. On paper, it's definitely a distance from the center of my tastes. Actually, I don't even have anything negative to say here (though I'm far from blown away), as I even like the soft, laid-back and unique voice of David Quicho, who fits the music perfectly. I guess this is a reminder to give bands a chance, but in this day and age (with the many bands floating around out there), that's hard to do. Regardless, I'm glad I gave Dimension a chance, as 'Universal' is good and 'Ego' is even better.



CLINT
- Metal cd Ratings

DIMENSION - Ego
Nightmare Records

Metal Express Rating: 9.0/10

Release Date: 2007-10-09

by: GEORGE FUSTOS

Email: george(at)metalexpressradio(dot)com

write/read comments

Being a band from Mexico and being part of the Progressive Metal genre as this band is labeled, one would certainly expect to hear a completely different sounding CD upon listening to it for the first time. Even the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th time for that matter - got the picture so far? The vocals throw you, the music throws you, the instruments used by its extremely talented group of musicians throw you ... what else is left to throw you that hasn’t been mentioned? This is indeed one of those rare moments that cannot be explained. Take the word of a stranger in this case and hear the evidence for itself.

There isn’t much known regarding this band. They are probably Mexico’s most prolific Progressive Metal band to date. Originally formed in 1999 out of Chihuahua, Mexico and now based in Denver, Colorado, this is only their second official release. Their debut release titled Universal came out in an independent fashion back in 2002 and was distributed worldwide by Nightmare Records. This latest production by Dimension is guaranteed to be a very complex album full of constantly changing Progressive movements and a diverse arrangement of aural delicacies that will stimulate as well as heighten one's musical experience. The CD has 9 tracks consuming almost 70 minutes. The eighth track “Ego” is composed of three individual parts and takes up almost 20 minutes by itself. Dimension is known as only having two key members (who are both incredible musicians themselves) that make up the band with numerous special guests who were asked to participate in making this phenomenally orchestrated album.

The key members are David Quicho (guitars, vocals) and Mane Cabrales (drums, percussion). The special guests include Aaron del Palacio (bass, backup vocals) and Eddie del Palacio (keyboards, backup vocals), along with Claude Sim and Dave Waldman (violins), Catherine Beeson (viola), Evan Orman (cello), and David Hanson (quartet transcription). No, this is not wrong or a joke by any means … you have read correctly … two violins, one viola, and a cello. This line-up is more suitably apt to form or be part of an orchestra, but a Prog-Metal band - what the f**k? However, upon listening to this CD over and over again, the orchestral instruments quickly become less noticeable and more in sync with this band's new and fresh style. Dimension pulls it off well, and won’t be the last band that tries out this style. These guys do it with such tremendous energy and force, not to mention the immensely talented ensemble that they have put together -- they will be a difficult act to follow.

Ego's nine tracks are all a treat in themselves. There are six songs that stand out. The opener “Tree Of Conscience” stuns you initially, but it has a more important role. It lets the listener know right off the bat that this is no ordinary album nor is it your average Prog/Metal band. “Freedom Land” has some interesting stop-and-go changes and different guitar sounds throughout (especially in the opening moments). At around the 2:45 mark, there is a funky/groove-type bass/guitar progressive attack that sounds so unique that you get impressed to the point where you wonder what else can the band surprise you with next? The guitar solo, while blazing fast at times, is pristinely clean and impressive in that you can hear each note clear as day. The vocals have an evil/angry touch that really makes them stand out. “Life”'s guitar solos are really worth checking out -- enough said! “Dreams” may be the best track of the bunch and has some of the most beautiful guitar playing with an equally impressive feel. A definite highlight! “The Next In Line” is musically and instrumentally the heaviest track on the album. The vocals unfortunately don’t seem to match or go that well with the musical arrangement that was put together for this particular song. They seem out of place until the 5-minute mark when the mood and tempo seems to shift dramatically. The longest song on the album and title track “Ego,” is made up of three parts. There are so many things going on ... you just have to listen to it!

Overall, this is another one of those albums that are a must buy if not only for the fact that this band is so unique in what they do and they do it so well. Not only that, the music that they produce is damn good. Most, if not all, lovers of the Prog/Metal genre will definitely be impressed. This is one of the best Prog/Metal releases unleashed on the public this year. To learn more about this band, check out some of the links below:

Official Web site: www.DimensionsHome.com
MySpace Web site: www.MySpace.com/DimensionBand
Record Label: www.Nightmare-Records.com

- Metal Express Radio

From the opening track ("Tree of Conscience"), Ego from Dimension weaves a magical spell over its listeners, drawing them in and taking them on a musical journey unlike any other.

This is a remarkable album, full of all the things I love about progressive metal: soaring vocals, big guitar riffs, blazing solos, beautiful melodies, ferocious drumming, compelling harmonies, intelligent lyrics, and intricate arrangements.

Prog metal has become fashionable these days, thanks in part to such bands as Dream Theater, Symphony X, and a host of others from all points of the globe. However, with abundance often comes sameness, even mediocrity.

Not in the case of Dimension (and, frankly, not with any band on the superlative Nightmare Records label). Ego sounds as fresh and vibrant as if it were the first band to appear in this invigorating genre.

The crunchy riffs remind me of Jag Panzer (another band that, like Dimension, hails from Colorado). The arrangements are as grandiose as any one would find on a Kamelot album, although Dimension's are more intricate. Actually, I hear a bit of Nevermore in Ego, too, mostly in the guitar tone in "Broken Heart." But whereas a Nevermore song would continue with the same pace and tone, Dimension varies its songs, alternating between crunchy riffs and gentle, flowing passages as alluring as a whisper.

I love the catchy opening riff to "Life." It's an air-guitarist's dream come true. The entire song is filled with killer guitar soloing, crisp drumming, and enough twists and turns to keep any prog-metal fan happy.

As good as Ego's nine songs are, the magnum opus is the nearly 20-minute "Ego," an epic tour-de-force (in three parts) of blistering solos, passionate vocals, double-kick drumming, and cool lyrics.

For a second album (their first was Universal, released in 2002), Ego shows an astounding depth of skill, not to mention keen lyrical insights into the human condition. I can't wait to see what these guys do in the years to come.

I highly recommend Ego.
- Amazon Music by Just Bill

Nightmare Records recently has signed a whole new slew of talent and DIMENSION are at the forefront of those signees, along with ETERNAL FLIGHT. I wasn?t really sure what to expect from the cover art since it was a little strange; maybe Prog, maybe Power, maybe some kind of "futuristic" Metal? What I got was a huge Prog release with just a sprinkling of Power.

DIMENSION was founded in 1999 by David and Mane in Mexico. The band eventually relocated to Denver, Colorado and since has toured around parts of the USA, Europe, and Mexico. Their first album " Universal" was released in 2002 independently, but it was distributed by Nightmare Records. They most recently signed to Nightmare in the past year.

The first two tracks - to be honest - I thought were good tracks, but they didn?t really grab me till "Freedom Land". This third track has really sweet keyboard sounds at about 1:20 that sounds like some kind of crazy "wah wah" pedal hooked up to the keyboards. David has a very whispful and soft delivery in this song, but it is still extremely powerful. Oddly enough though his vocal work throughout the album when uses the aforementioned style, but particularly on this song he reminds of Chino Moreno of DEFTONES. There are cetain parts in this song you wont be tapping your front foot due to the overall catchiness. The end of track gets really evil sounding and is fricking sick as fuck and super heavy, easily the highlight of the song.

"Broken Heart" starts off with a mysterious and mesmerizing keyboard part as well as a riff with a bang your head ultra crunch sound with its balls immediately cut off into a rather tranquil Proggy part. This transition is very nicely timed and fits extremely well due to the contrast. The same riff picks up again at about 2 minutes in and the aggression/roughness behind David?s vocals is very captivating with their overall sound and how unique they are sounding on this song particularly. The next song begins with David?s vocals in their quieter and softer stage but the riffs still stay crunchy. Around 2:30 a face melting keyboard solo kicks in that is paired with an almost equally technical guitar solo following it.

"Dreams" is definitely a step in the Prog side and starts off mostly instrumental with another very impressive guitar solo. At roughly 1:30 David?s vocals come in which essentially lays the groundwork for the rest of the song being very tranquil and serene. The serene feeling that I was referring to greatly reminds me of PAIN oF SALVATION, but at their less boring finer moments. The second longest song on the album, "The Next In Line", begins with an intro of sound kind of radio report regarding a murder and then an equally as killing of a riff steps up and crushes your face. Then at about 4:00 the keyboards just take over for roughly the next two minutes. Certain parts of this keyboard solo are almost spine chilling while others I felt weren?t as stunning as the rest though still solid. Then, at about 6:00 the guitar solo that starts out kind of ho hum and then picks up into super sonic speed picking with the keyboard coming in at the end of the solo and laying down a sick layering.

The track that bears the same name as the album is their opus, clocking in at just less than 20 minutes. David?s vocals kick in at about 2 minutes and until just shortly before that I didn?t notice anything stellar. The chorus really lured me however, with just the way that the vocals and the keyboards blend together in their softer textures and the way that the pulverizing sound of the guitar goes with the bone snapping fury of the drums. For the next 3 minutes or so I don?t hear anything really that interesting, but then at about 12:00 minutes the awesome pairing of sweet riffs and spine tingling keyboards comes back. The Power side of DIMENSION really kicks in right after the previous stated part and it extremely upbeat and fast and reminds me of STRATOVARIUS almost, but down tuned. The song kind of loses my attention in the solely instrumental parts, but then again I am not a musician so it is harder for me to appreciate it. I just feel that David?s vocals lend so well to the rest of the music that they need to be there. The final track I didn?t really care for at all.

This is definitely one of the top Prog releases of the year. DIMENSION very efficiently take elements mainly from the Prog side of things, but litter it with enough Power that most fans from both genres should thoroughly enjoy it. I would recommend it to fans of PAIN oF SALVATION, PAGAN?S MIND and SYMPHONY X.
- Metal Temple