I explained the story about the discovery of this Australian melodic prog metal band on the review of 'Tangled in Dream'. To make the story short here, I saw them live here in Finland in 2001, and was very entranced indeed, and bought their two first albums from the merchandise booth. I have to say, that 'Tangled in Dream' (2000) has been rotating in my CD player about ten times more than the band's debut album. And the abominable computerized cover art isn't the reason...

Even though I've played 'Tangled in Dream' more than this, it doesn't tell the truth about 'In Thought'. This one isn't a bad album at all. Not even close. Maybe it is the demo-ish production, which is clear so all the elements can be heard well, but lacks of power. I think the band wanted this to sound meatier. I used to listen to this album with a portable CD player, which had a lame set of headphones. It only multiplied the lack of lower end on the album, I guess. The result: 'In Thought' was buried in my CD collection. Also, the drummer's occasional scamping irritates me quite a bit to tell the truth. It happens time after time, sadly. Give him a bit more complex rhythm, and there it perishes.

But what sort of musical side does this album have? Vanishing Point's prog metal is light and slowly flowing. The lightness might, as mentioned, happen partly because of the production job. The opener's synths and rhythms bring Rush to my mind, accompanied with heavy guitar riffing. However, Vanishing Point's song structures are simple. The band's name track shows trademark melodies from them, and also bring in gothic style melodies (one at 2-minute mark must be very similar to Paradise Lost's on their 'Draconian Times' [1995] album!). 'Wind' is a short instrumental, that could have been part of 'In Company of Darkness', if you ask me. This song catches me with its Iron Maiden-esque guitar playing. Not from the classic Maiden era, but from Blaze's era's fine albums 'The X Factor' and 'Virtual XI' (1995 and 1998). Tempo changes on 'Dream Maker' show the drummer's feebleness and it just takes my attention off of the song itself, which would be an okay piece without these beats. The Sisters Of Mercy style bits can be heard on 'Sunlit Windows' and 'Blind's melodies bring present Paradise Lost to my mind. 'Forgotten Self' is the heaviest song on the album, intertwining chugging riffage and floating melodies nicely. 'A Memory' is the mandatory slow song, but surprisingly it's not another sugary ballad, but a tastily growing emotional piece. The closer 'Inner Peace' is a bit faster song, reminding me of consequent Vanishing Point material. Generally, the compositions aren't as adhesive as on the latter Vanishing Point albums. Surely, there's loads of memorable things happening all the time, but the music flows more slowly and not so fluidly yet. However, 'In Though' is a fine achievement for a debut album, in my opinion.

The vocalist Silvio Massaro's performance has been strongly brought up. And for good reason, too. His calm yet emphatic low-pitched voice is easily recognizable. Despite all the fine guitar playing and song bits around, the vocals are the strongest point of 'In Thought'. Sadly, the lyrics are babbling about "living this life". Boring, in one word.

'In Thought' is a good album filled with calm and intimate melodic metal with prog touches. If that is your stuff, then Vanishing Point are a band you just cannot skip. 'In Thought' is a good album, but 'Tangled in Dream' is a lot better one to start the orientation to this band.

Rating: 7 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
05/30/2008 12:52