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metal-experience.com |
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FeedForward - Barefoot & Naked
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| There is not much good progressive metal, and certainly not on Dutch soil. With FeedForward we could well have new representative for the future. This band has been established in 2002 and early 2007 released their debut album Barefoot & Naked themselves. Partly because of this release and strong performances they have been signed by Rusty Cage Records and the album will be released again by them in May 2008. |
| It must be said: Some albums feel good at first listen while others need more time to grow. The album of FeedForward is one of the last category: musically I could find myself in the music, but vocally I was sceptical at first. But female vocals in the prog scene are a lot less common then for example in the gothic scene, perhaps that’s why I had to get used to her voice. I can imagine that others also have this experience, but then let me recommend you by holding on and give FeedForward a second chance. And as Johan Cruijf said: "every disadvantage has its advantage". Where albums that are easy in the ear at first listen often get bored after several spins, Barefoot & Naked sometimes could well be suitable for tens of spins, and I am in any case not done yet. |
| As I said, allow the album to grow and then you get a fine debut with mostly melodic progressive rock with a metal twist: delicious guitar playing, beautiful keyboard parts, tempo variations and the so distinctive vocals of Biejanka. Opener 'Fade Away' is a good example of this: no overly long intro but only a half minute construction after which we directly get one of the stronger songs on the album. Also 'Run the Race' with a delicious bass line is of the better kind and shows fine guitar playing. "Crossing the Line" and "Innocence" prove that FeedForward can also deliver a fine atmosphere. And as is suits a decent prog album the brakes are released after that: “143” has a solid repetitive riff with excellent vocal expressions and keyboard attacks. “Our Sky” is really the only ballad on the album: a 13-in-a-dozen pianoballad but certainly not bad. Then “Before I Leave” blasts from the speakers so that the feeling of calm is immediately gone, what can such a simple trick be deliciously effective. “Silent” and “Moving” are further fine examples of a mix between a musical and a violent atmosphere and finally we get to "Stop to Think”, with also some solid metal guitars. |
| It strikes me that there are obviously something familiar influences but that the band quite clearly has managed an own sound. I can arbitrarily mention some bands that FeedForward relates to but this album actually deserves a number of serious listens to judge for yourself: and I feel that judgement will for a large part be positive. |
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