REVIEW - SED LEX
Review By: J. Ossmann - Metal Coven (Houston)
[ Kaskmire Productions ] SED LEX - DE VIRUS- Brennus Rating: 8.5/10
Some metal bands are completely unique. Trendsetters, they may be influenced by one or more predecessors, and may even display those influences every so often in their music, but when it comes down to it they sound like no one. Opeth, Borknagar, and Rhapsody are excellent examples of developing a highly individualistic sound. Other bands are obviously catering to fans of a pre-existing sound, yet are able to pull it off and excel in their own right. Sonata Arctica an Lacuna Coil are both bands that are hardly unique, yet they are still worth listening to. Sed Lex, a five-piece from France, fall in between these two categories. Their debut album "De Viris" is simultaneously derivative and possessing of that "sound," that quality of music that results in instantaneous recognition. Not bad for a debut album.
Sed Lex is as beholden to Dream Theater as they are to Stratovarius. "De Viris" is almost derivative power metal. Almost. But there is a certain progressiveness to the music that gives it more depth. And there is something else… for the life of me, I am having trouble describing it, but there is something about "De Viris" that makes it memorable and unique. It may be that this is the first and only French power metal band I've heard, and I am merely caught by the trappings that make the music of each country unique from that of others. I don't know… all I know is, every time I start to think that there is nothing special about "De Viris," I find myself caught by a particularly intriguing passage, or I notice that I am waking around whistling the tune from one or more songs. And to me, those are signs that a band is doing something right.
That being said, abstract allure is about the only thing especially striking about Sed Lex. While certainly an example of European power metal, "De Viris" also plays remarkably similar to Dream Theater's first album, "When Dream and Day Unite." Lead singer Jean-Luc Maza sounds more like Charlie Dominici than anyone else. He is also quite an impressive guitarist, with enough chops to give some of the guitarists at the forefront of prog metal a run for their money in a few years. There are a few times when Maza's vocals are off, or a bit too loose… and the same might be said for keyboardist Jean-Marc Lafaye. Loose may work in some genres of metal, but it doesn't bode well for progressive metal. But it's nothing that a few more years of practice won't fix.
Something that Sed Lex does that is a bit annoying is name a song "Fear of the Dark." There is something about naming a song after a very well-known song or album by a classic band that just rubs me the wrong way. Axxis did the same thing with their "hit single," "Angel of Death." Why name a song after one of Slayer's most well-known songs, and have it be completely different (not to mention nowhere near as good)? Why name a song after one of Iron Maiden's more well-known albums and songs? Do they think that people won't make the connection? As it is, every time Maza belts out the line "Fear of the Dark," I start getting an inkling to listen to Iron Maiden instead of Sed Lex. I don't know, maybe it's just me. But Sed Lex have some very creative names for songs on "De Viris" ("Murderer's Tea" and "Blank Destination" spring to mind), so why they had to have a song called "Fear of the Dark" is beyond me.
The song "Dog's Bite" is another particularly confusing song. It sounds incredibly pop and commercial… yet catchy and unique. The keyboards in general are surprisingly unique on this album, often giving songs a pop rock feel ("Dust 'n' Bones"), and at other times only describable as "dark power prog" ("Harvests of Disorder"). Or both ("Dream of Escape"). Over all, every song is unique enough that a few times through "De Viris" is enough to learn the melodies and sing-along parts of every track.
So if you are a fan of progressive or power metal, and are looking for something a little bit different, I recommend tracking down Sed Lex's "De Viris." I can see this band becoming quite good in the next few years, so long as they continue to refine their musical craft and infuse their brand of power prog with that certain special something. "De Viris" is nothing completely new, and it isn't a mind-blowing album, but it is definitely a bit of fresh air. And sometimes, that's more than enough.