9th february 2010, ProgRock Records

I had no expectations at all before I started listening to this debut from Venezuelan band – no expectations, shouldn’t not to be misunderstood as low expectations. And basically that is the best way to get into the new album, by this, for me previously unknown band. Nature | Existence sets the stage form the very start, the stage that is solid mixture of the older progressive rock and classic progressive metal. Once this fundament is established the band colors it with endless line of influences be it the Venezuelan folk, more traditional pop or electronica.

Common for all these aspects is that they add the new dimension to the music, but never take the focus from the above mentioned fundament. This results in a truly great flow of the album and the music that is vibrant and interesting. The balance between melody and heavy riffing is simply perfect, never compromising any of the two.The performance too is spot on, with competent musicians and a number of gust vocalists who deliver anything from James LaBrie to David Coverdale feel to the ever vital melodies. Music too is well written and despite the journey through many genres, the music feels a one entity partly because of the production, but mostly because of the clever songwriting and arrangements.

Echoes get away with pretty much everything, even with two consecutive instrumentals one after another and in just about any aspect, this album delivers that, which is set to deliver. Highly recommended.
www.myspace.com/echoesve