REVIEW - SED LEX
Review By: Metal Observer
Sed Lex - De Viris (7/10) - France - 2004
Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Brennus Music
Playing time: 69:56
Tracklist:
1. Eye Of The Moon
2. Dog's Bite
3. Fear Of The Dark
4. Whispers In The Air
5. Harvests Of Disorder
6. Dust N Bones
7. Murderers' Tea
8. Blank Destination
9. Foundations Of A Dream
10. Dream Escape
11. Carrousel
Although banded as Heavy Rock France's SED LEX is most definitely a Progressive Metal band in every department. Of the eleven tracks only four dip under the five minute mark so if you're the kind of Metalhead who goes for the quick short song fix then SED LEX may well prove too much of a challenge for you.
Thankfully SED LEX sound absolutely nothing like DREAM THEATER and what with a abundance of Prog bands all sounding like the Americans this is a most definitive plus point.
SED LEX is not content to sit and pour out over an hours worth of pure Prog Metal though. ‘'Eye Of The Moon'' is a great Metal track complete with MAIDEN-esque guitar riffing and although it does stretch to over the eight minute mark it is laden with quality. The quirky Pop Metal ramblings of ‘'Dog's Bite'' might not fit in with the rest of the album but that's SED LEX's prerogative of throwing in a curve ball only two songs in and when you get to the dark Progressive meanderings of the excellent ‘'Fear Of The Dark'' (sorry not that “Fear Of The Dark”) then you'll be wondering what's up next. ‘'Whispers In The Air'' is a glorious Power Metal track very much in the FALCONER and THE STORYTELLER vein. ‘'Murderer's Tea'' deals with the British reign in India and it's a song SKYCLAD would have been proud to write whereas THRESHOLD fans will delight in the driving Heavy Metal of ‘'Blank Destinations''.
Vocally Jean-Luc Maza carries it off but it's the musicians that take centre stage. Blistering solo runs backed up with intense, rumbling riffs from guitarists Maza and Bruno James caged in a solid rhythm of Phillipe Barrans (bass) and Philippe Faugier (drums). Make for interesting and absorbing listening.
Taking their queue from no one but themselves SED LEX have conjured up a very fine debut album that will feature high up the best of Prog charts this year. For once here's a band that appeal to Traditional Metal fans, Power Metal fans and of course the Proggies all in the one go. (Online July 29, 2004 )
Source : http://www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=1&id=6601