Ian Parry's career began as vocalists for such hard rock bands as Hammerhead and Vengeance and he continued in this style with his solo albums. He's probably best known from his work in Elegy. The first Consortium Project album was released in 1998 and it features hard rock/heavy metal songs. Ian Parry's voice is good. It's Dio-esque, but not as powerful or dark.

Nowadays, the album definitely sounds dated and I believe it wasn't a revelation seven years ago either. I feel similarities between this and some North American prog metal bands, and then something like newer Rainbow releases. Songs include heavy-hitting parts, hard rocking upbeat stuff and proggy elements, plus calmer things. 'The Snake' manages to put me into headbanging gear, thanks to its good upbeat drive and absolutely fantastic chorus and 'Pandora's Box' with its Irish melody is another gem which lifts the album up from average, but only just. Generally, mostly it is just too familiar with its compositions and performance. A stupid guitar/synth instrumental 'The Entity' is a perfect example of this unoriginality. Of course there's nothing to complain about the performance of many well known musicians who can be heard on this album. Sound is clear, but badly lacks of bass and real kick. Lyrics are also unoriginal, digging human mind and society's and peoples' evilness.

One for Ian Parry fans and maybe heavy metal/hard rock hybrid fans should also check this one out. Just do not wait anything groundbreaking.

Rating: 5½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
12/29/2005 21:00