Review Summary: http://www.myspace.com/danswano
Check it out for some samples
Dan Swanö has always been recognized for his multiple participation in different bands. The mastermind of Edge Of Sanity is also well know for his capacity of playing any instrument and his amazing voice.
Moontower is the first solo release by this musical genius. He basicaly brings the death metal riffing of bloodbath and Edge Of Sanity and the keyboards of nightingale and mix it together. It's like death metal version of Rush. One of the strongest point of this record is the fact that no instrument are taking too much place. Everything fit perfecly and nothing has been pushed too far. So now let's get a closer look at this album.
Sun of the Night
The intro of this song puts you right in the mood of all the album. Keyboard and guitar are making a strange but solid mix. Dan's vocal are still insane. The riffing is straight old school death metal. Some keyboard parts reminds me a lot of Dream Theater. The middle of the songs feature acoustic passage that can be compare to Opeth. The Piano thing is insane and the progression with the guitar lead is perfect. The solo is nice and can be compared to dan's work with edge of sanity.
4,5/5
Patchworks
This one starts with keyboard noises, then a more uptempo riff follows. The keyboard melody is a solid part of the song and the organ riffs in the verse make the song fun to hear and not boring. The brigde if a lot keyboard oriented. A good song but not the best
3,5/5
Uncreation
In my opinion this song is the best by far. Swanö did an amazing work of orchestration. Intricate verses, progressions, keyboard melody. The solo part gives me goosebumps. The melody is so beautiful and the rythm work work perfecly with it. An amazing song.
5/5
Add Reality
A piano melody start the song. The riffing of this song is intricate and the chord progression are very nice. The piano interlude is another highlights of the record. Another nice solo is played by Dan. He really proves that is a good guitar player. The first clean vocals could be hear in that song.
4,5/5
Creating Illusions
This song is really dream theater-ish. Again it's a good mix of organ and guitar. Some nice FX could be hear in that song. It makes the song really futuristic in a way and old school with the organ. Acoustic passage with keyboard lead follows. Nice Song
4/5
The Big Sleep
One of the best song of the record. The keyboard lead is really futuristic and could have been use in a band like Soilwork of Dark Tranquillity. The progressive side of the song is another strong part of the song. Dan has worked on his riff and I give him credit for that. Another part with acoustic guitar and vocal is featured.
4,5/5
Encouterparts
This is an odd song. Time signature mix with and old kind of keyboard riff that reminds you of Deep Purple makes it weird. The mix of the clean guitar with the progression of the electric is nice. This song instrumental. Some part are really well developped. Again their's no fancy tricks. Dan uses every instrument in the right way. Every lead of this song is awesome. A nice work from Swanö.
4/5
In Empty Phrases
It starts with a clean guitar work. Then drum comes in and this song will make you think of Rush. The keyboard work is perfect. The solo his perfectly developped again. The progressive parts are so perfect. It flows without a problem. Dan's is using again another différent tones for his guitar solos.
4,5/5
Overall 4,5/5
Pros:
Intricate riffs
Progressions
Different kind of guitar and keyboard tones
Melodies are beautiful
Their's no intrument that is taking too much place
Cons:
The death metal growls is not for everyone
It could have more clean vocals
This kind of keyboard is not for everyone.
Line-up
Dan Swanö - every intruments.
