Subsignal - Touchstones (GoldenCore 2011)
Touchstones Tracklist:
01. Feeding Utopia
02. My Sanctuary
03. Echoes In Eternity
04. The Size Of Light On Earth
05. As Dreams Are Made On
06. Wingless
07. Finisterre
08. The Essence Called Mind
09. The Lifespan Of A Glimpse
10. Embers – Part 1: Your Secret Is Safe With Me
11. Touchstones
12. Con Todas Las Palabras
Touchstone Lineup:
Arno Menses: Vocals
Markus Steffen: Guitars
Ralf Schwager: bass
David Bertok: Keyboards
Roel van Helden: Drums
The second half of the 1990s and the early noughties saw the rise of newly formed bands 'expanding' the boundaries of traditional so-called progressive metal by, "Introducing electronic/spacey elements, investing heavily in lyricality and/or syncopation and further rhythmical experimentation. Also the idea of thematically conceptual albums has returned in accord with the practices of the progressive metal pioneers. Well-known examples in this category are Ayreon, Pain of Salvation and Riverside" (as defined in Progarchives' Prog Rock Guides: What is Progressive Rock ?/ The Genres [or Sub-genres] of Progressive Rock/ Progressive Metal/ Modern Progressive Metal). Subsignal is one such progressive rock band. It was originally formed in Germany as a side project by Sieges Even members Arno Menses on vocals and Markus Steffen on guitars, but after the main group disbanded, they recruited former Dreamscape members Ralf Schwager on bass and David Bertok on keyboards, along with Suncaged drummer Roel van Helden. Touchstones is Subsignal's second album.
Opener Feeding Utopia combines mildly prog-metal guitars with sparkling lead vocals borrowed from Jon Anderson, multi-part harmonies from Yes and a chorus from Manfred Mann's Earth Band. However, it hints at a forthcoming progressive rock style which is never fully realised. Complex Kansas-ish harmonies are again employed on My Sanctuary, this time with Mike Oldfield guitar, but while this blend seems promising, the track again disappoints in drifting towards AOR and avoiding an all-out progressive approach. Echoes in Eternity has full on prog-metal guitars, and this seems to be where the heart of Subsignal really lies. As on track one, backward tapes (probably computer) are employed. A strong melody, a strength of the band, and a trip-hop feel are in evidence too. Subsignal are melodic and catchy if nothing else and in a way that is missing from many modern progressive or hard rock bands. Dare I say it, there is even an added neo touch from more of lead singer Arno Menses's Anderson vocals, filtered through It Bites? Roel Van Helden is of the Neal Peart school of drumming in that, more is more. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing; he does not overuse the double-kick and is constantly busy driving the band out of introspection. Lyrics are traditional progressive rock nonsense, but effective nevertheless.
Keyboard player David Bertok is a bit underused, which may be what is holding back the band, but he introduces As Dreams Are Made On with some Keith Emerson piano touches (from Tarkus). As always, the harmonies are complex and well considered, but Markus Steffen's Ralph Schwager's grinding guitars are never far away. Wingless reminds me, in its floatiness, of Lifesigns, a modern band that uses soaring neo guitar and keyboards (I recommend their self-titled album). Another superb melody underpins Finisterre; David Bertok's keyboards again shine and the use of acoustic guitar to emphasise the heavy rock is like that of Michael Schenker in his solo work. A sense of deja vu comes not just from the neo intro of The Essence Called Mind, but the neo-inflection of the harmonies. Regrettably, by the graunching guitar intro to The Lifespan of a Glimpse, my concentration is beginning to waver. As a duet between Menses and a female vocalist, a la Evanescence, it is well done. Embers - Part 1: Your Secret is Safe With Me is a slow melancholic track, which introduces strings and a returning trip-hop feel. Melancholy reeds introduce Touchstones, which has interesting vocals and keyboards, but they are marred by turgid distorted guitars. Thankfully, Con Todas Las Palabras closes the album on an epic ballad, built on Genesis keyboard textures and rising Mike Oldfield guitar parts.
Listening to Subsignal's Touchstone is a frustrating experience; Arno Menses is that rare creaure, an excellent singer in a modern progressive rock band; the harmonies are not only present, but intricate; Roel Van Helden works hard on drums; and the band have undoubted technical ability. But . . . there are the prog-metal guitar cliches, along with the traditional progressive rock, neo and AOR guitar/keyboard stylings. The answer would be to: decide on a definite style rather than drifting between them; bring the keyboards more to the fore, while abandoning the heavily distorted guitars; and editing the album length. Having said all this, I enjoyed the listening to the album and I will definitely be seeking out more from the band.
Originally written in September 2013. In keeping with the best laid schemes o' mice an' men, I did not seek out more from Subsignal.