XERXES (SWI) - Falling Leaves 1997 Prog

ION BRITTON · Post by **ION BRITTON** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:11 pm

The second album of this great band:

NEW LINK: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=E8FO0SRX

Helm · Post by **Helm** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:01 pm

I bought both online but I can't resist downloading this while waiting for the albums to come! Thank you! Impressions to follow!

I listened to the first one on a train from here to thesaloniki 3-4 times in a row. It's such a wonderful album. I hope the second one is up there too.

Helm · Post by **Helm** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 4:53 pm

I think this might actually be better than the debut even. I've been listening to it so much... it's what progressive metal aimed to be at that period of time. Sure, it's pretty much ballsless, but it traded in masculinity and libido for this amazing magical atmosphere, very distant and misty yet resolutely beautiful. Amazing material. It's a shame it's down and other people won't listen to it. It's as far as I know the only rip of this album on the internet, haha

Thanks again, ION BRITTON. I think I'll buy this CD used like I did with the first Xerxes (earlier buy fell through).

ION BRITTON · Post by **ION BRITTON** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:28 pm

I like the debut a bit more, but this is great stuff as well. If anyone needs a reup let me know.

Helm · Post by **Helm** » Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:48 am

I am trying to contact anyone in the band to get this (and if lucky, the demo too) since I can't find it anywhere second-hand online. It was a self-release so that complicates things. I sent an e-mail to a photographer in Switzerland that has the same name as their singer/bassist, here's hoping...

ION BRITTON · Post by **ION BRITTON** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:12 am

New link is up

The Erlking · Post by **The Erlking** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 12:20 pm

I'll give this one a chance. Helm's talk about the atmosphere got me slightly interested.

Helm · Post by **Helm** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 11:34 am

I'm glad you're giving it a chance. Tell impressions later!

The Erlking · Post by **The Erlking** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 8:31 pm

Well I finally got a chance to listen to this a couple time and I think this is good stuff. You were dead on about the lack of testosterone, in fact this sounds more progressive rock than metal in many parts but I don't have any problems with that. Especially when it's done with this kind of beautiful and "cloud palace"-like atmosphere. Some of the more metallic moments are great like for example the epicness of "The Gate" and the first 2 minutes in "Sam Hain". I have a feeling this will grow on me but how is their debut?

Helm · Post by **Helm** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 8:57 am

'cloud palace' <- exactly!

The more metallic moments remind me of Watchtower actually, which is strange because in my opinion Watchtower are a very libido-fueled band. They might sing about politics and determinism and stuff but I get a real "PLAYING TECHNOTHRASH MAKES ME HARD" vibe from them. There's not the littlest bit of an erection in the Xerxes record though. It's intriguing to think where progressive metal could have gone from there. But it didn't, hah!

The first record is not as lushly orchestrated as this one. It's easier to follow for this reason. Less 'spaced out' ambient bits with beautiful guitar cadenzas, more Perfect Symmetry-meets-Steps progressive metal. The guitar tone is sharper so the constant counterpoint between the guitarists is very clearly audiable. The thematics seem similar to this record, it's a very 'naive' dreamlike, fairytale sort of record. I don't mean naive in a bad way, I mean pleasantly chidlike. When you thought everything is possible and your only limit is your imagination? Well, it's called "Beyond Your Imagination" for a reason.

It does however, have more robust songs and is more metal on the whole. I can't see how it is possible to like this record without liking the debut, but why don't you find out and tell me?

Thanks for checking this stuff out btw, I kinda feel a bit lonely sometimes for liking select progressive metal in here. Well, obviously ION BRITTON likes them too since he has the record, but let's just say the ethereal atmospheres of Xerxes are not a prime topic of conversation in the Corroseum often, heh.

Helm · Post by **Helm** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 2:07 pm

Hey, sorry to bump. I wanted to ask, does the booklet of the original CD carry the lyrics? I ask because I am trying to track it down and it's kinda difficult (not on e-bay, not many relevant hits on google, can't contact the band directly) and if there aren't any lyrics in the booklet at the end of the day it might be a bit of a fool's errand.

ION BRITTON · Post by **ION BRITTON** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:42 am

I don't have an original, only a CDR copy with a xeroxed front cover, so i can't answer your question about the lyrics. This album is harder to find than their debut.

GJ · Post by GJ » Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:36 am

I have got a promo-version. Folded single sheet, no lyrics. Sorry for bad scan. There are some contact info there, maybe you should give it a try?

Helm · Post by **Helm** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:34 pm

I really appreciate it, thank you.

GJ, how do you feel about the record?

GJ · Post by GJ » Mon Mar 23, 2009 9:58 pm

Helm wrote:I really appreciate it, thank you.

You're welcome!

Helm wrote: GJ, how do you feel about the record?

Mixed feelings. I probably haven't spun the thing more than three or four times over the last ten years, which is kind of strange since what they are doing probably is exactly what I would have wanted Fates Warning to do in 1991 instead of Parallells. There's plenty of songwriting and arranging talent for sure but it kind of lacks in performance and production. The weird effects on the vocals is hard to understand. Were they aiming for a "dreamyness" or were they trying to hide an obviously not very talented vocalist? The keys also are too much humid and not enough bite. Makes me think of "When Dream and Day Unite" by DT. Would have prefered an earthier sound overall. A production and approach in the vein of Änglagård (Swedish neo(?)progsters from the nineties who made two freaking fantastic albums "Hybris" and "Epilog" - check them out!) would have been the cure for me. Come to think of it, and as much as I adore Fates Warning, Prog Metal for the most seem to be castrated (as in fruitless) Prog Rock. I was a lot into Fates Warning in my late teens (1988-92) and with them followed a search for other stuff within the Metal genre that could give a similar kick. Sieges Even, Mekong Delta, Watchtower and Dream Theater and of course Queensrüche were about all that was availble to me at the time but none of them has kept my interest to this day. I also went for the originators like Rush, Gentle Giant, Yes, Jethro Tull (all of which I kind of could hear in Xerxes in different size portions) and there was a lot more to digest there I think. Sometimes I would think the world would be a tad better weren't there a Prog Metal subgenre but only a few progressive Heavy Metal bands. Anyhow, thanks for reminding me to spin this one - I guess it needs a few more chances before I will be fit to judge it!