Almost unnoticed, these guys enter the premier league of German Progressive Metal. Proof of this is their sixth album: Systematrix. After the departure of Andy B Franck, who went to join Brainstorm and founded Symphorce, the band broke apart and reformed after a few years absence. But when they did and worked with new singer Mischa Mang, they released two remarkable albums called Walk In Mindfields and the even better Lifeline. That means that the listener may expect a lot from the new release, and so it comes as a bit of a shock to hear that long time guitar player Achim Welsch has left the troup. However, that did not lead to drastic changes in style, although quite noticably the years have not gone by without leaving a mark on the sound of the band. Systematrix is much more modern and heavy, while complex and straight parts alternate much more than on the last two albums. Especially the new sound and the progressive sections like in "War Of The Centuries" make a combination one needs to get used to. Even more so as right after that track the band chose to put the most unusual contrast with the track called "Madhouse". This is interesting, but far from easy listening. Systematrix is not easy to label. While the intellect still tries to do just that, feet and neck and guts already enjoy the title track or the nonchalance of "Learning Path", the off-handed keyboard bits in "Walldancer", and the progressive-relentless "Brokers Lingua Nera". Unfortunately, not all choruses hit the right nerve -- "Tin Cans Liberty", for example, has a great verse only to find the climax of a matchingly great chorus missing, although the rest of the track with its almost Lizzy-like twin guitars would make a certain highlight under different circumstances. But, throughout the album the band manages to place enough remarkable sections so one is drawn between the heavy and the melodic. The band helps the fan a little bit to compare the new with the old by re-recording "Symbols Of Time", originally from their second album. Those who know the original version will immediately recognize the difference, away from being an obvious Dream Theater honoring Prog Metal band to a Metal band that likes their stuff progressive. The emphasize has shifted, the sound has changed, however, the quality remains with a dose of newly developed character of their own. Ivanhoe need you to make an effort to discover their songs. But the journey is worthwhile! Review by "FRANK JAEGER" (www.metalexpressradio.com)
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