Back to overview
|
Imhotep.no - 28 march 2009
This Dutch progressive rock quintet formed in 1998, spending three years rehearsing and solidifying their style before releasing their first demo “Eclectic” in 2001. Gaining a buzz through the press and label channels, Ulysses moved forward with their debut album “Symbioses” in May of 2003. The ensuing five year layoff restructured the band lineup, as they gained a new vocalist (Michael Hos) and bassist (Casper Kroon) while hitting the live festival circuit to keep their chops in order. Two years in the making, “The Gift Of Tears” finally circulates in the public eye, a 7 song epic effort with 4 cuts eclipsing the 6 minute mark and two others expanding beyond the 12 minute range. Lyrically the band prefer to tackle real life stories about real people - from the opening “Family Portrait” that champions generational memories through the tragic loss of young life due to a brain tumor as in the ending 15 minute “Anat”. Instrumentally guitarist Sylvester Vogelenzang de Jong and keyboardist Ron Mozer form with great chemistry in taking the lead for certain tracks and then laying back to allow the other to push the arrangement forward - although the title track illustrates another dynamic when both accent the song with heavier overtones a la the classic “Leftoverture” Kansas times. Ulysses isn’t an act that succumbs to razzle-dazzle look at me now dexterity – they employ enough catchy refrains amongst the layers of long measures to almost put them in a more modern category a la Marillion or a lighter Threshold on songs like “Guardian Angel” or “Lost”. Michael Hos uses a wide range of lows, middle and high parts dependent on the tempo or flow of the song- but I really think he needs to be careful how pitchy he gets within “Family Portrait”, as I felt like his verse shouting took away from the natural song drama. The casual fan will not get “The Gift of Tears”- but those who appreciate the heavier side of progressive rock (or the lighter side of progressive metal, depending on how you view the movement) should seek out Ulysses, as they know how to write, perform and deliver with this second album. Composed by Matt Coe Imhotep.no |
Metal-experience.com
Date: 12-06-2009
Language: UK
Themayfairmallzine.com
Date: 30-05-2009
Language: UK
Fireworks Magazine (pdf)
Date: may 2009
Language: NL
Rockarea.eu
Date: 27-03-2009
Language: UK & Polish
Heavyhardes.de
Date: 19-03-2009
Language: UK & DE
Noord Hollands dagblad (image)
Date: 12-11-2008
Language: NL