UK band REASON was formed back in 2009 by Chris Gyngell and Paul Mace, and the current line-up of the band solidified in 2011 from what I understand. They released their debut album “The Darkest Star” at the tail end of the very same year, a production that apparently was given quite a favorable reception. “The Deception of Dreams” is their second and most recent production, and was released through UK label Sky Rocket Records in early 2015.
Reason are described and marketed as a alternatively either a melodic heavy progressive band or a progressive metal band, with at least some critics regarding them as a new and talented hope for British progressive rock. I’ll easily subscribe to the talented part of that description, but as far as the progressive goes and of being a light-bearer for progressive music in general I’ll have to take the unpopular stance and disagree ever so slightly.
The best part of this album are the songs themselves. Reason has a knack for creating compelling arrangements, be it sparse bass and keyboards driven sequences with or without elegant, plucked light toned guitar motifs supplementing, and they are arguably even better when using massive, bombastic guitar riffs and dramatic keyboard textures to produce stunning, majestic arrangement. The lead vocalist does his job well enough, at this point not a vocalist that manage to elevate the total experience in my point of view, but an able vocalist that know how to utilize his voice rather well throughout. Faint praise perhaps, but it does take a lot to really impress me in that department I’m afraid. I also note that this is a band that know their way around compelling, anthemic chorus sections of the singalong variety, adding a touch of hair metal to the proceedings. I understand that Dokken is cited as one of many influences by the band, and you can easily hear that whenever a chorus kicks off. Otherwise I hear a lot of NWoBHM in this band, Saxon comes to mind, alongside mid 80’s Dio and late 80’s Black Sabbath. The extensive use of keyboards, and the odd composition with a few more elaborate structural and arrangement developments does give this production a slight progressive touch as well. In the late 70’s and early 80’s there were bands described as pomp rock in terms of style, and in that particular context I guess pomp metal is where I’d place this album by Reason.
By and large this is a very good album, and some of the songs are truly blazing. The threesome of Sacrifice, Fire Eternal and Heartless arguably the high point of this production, but with a few more tracks here and there also being of just about an equally compelling nature. But there’s one aspect of this production that will limit it’s audience, and that does add a detrimental dimension to this CD, namely the mix and production. This is the kind of production which gives me instant associations to some of the more low key 80’s metal labels, the ones a division or two beneath Neat and Mausoleum for those with good memories.
In the sparse arrangements with few instruments and not too much punch the sound is okay, apart from the drum sound which is a massive disservice to an able and skilled drummer, but whenever the arrangements become layered, the guitars starts packing a punch and the keyboards supplement with majestic textures, then the end result starts having some serious porridge like qualities. It’s just barely above demo level production in terms of quality, and with a band exploring music of a fairly sophisticated nature the end result is detrimental. Which is too bad, as the material as such is well made and compelling.
At the end of the day, my conclusion is that this is a compelling and good album that deserves to be given a production overhaul at some point. Those who demand their music to be well produced will not be impressed by this album, but if you are the kind of listener more concerned with the songs themselves than the final glossing you might want to inspect this band a bit. If you find the notion of a band that sounds like a subtly progified and somewhat more dramatic blend of Saxon and Dokken intriguing in particular.
My rating: 69/100
