Cloudscape - Global Drama

Published August 27 2008

*=Staff's pick	Mind Diary Darkest Legacy* Cloak & Daggers* Paid In Blood The Silence Within* One Silent Moment Alagoas* Static Fragile Eyes Of Jealousy* Ritual Of The Blade Justice

Genre	Progressive Metal	Mike Andersson	Vocals
Tracks	12	Björn Eliasson	Guitar
Runningtime	67 Min.	Patrik Svärd	Guitar
Label	RoastingHouse Records	Haynes Pherson	Bass
Release	18 August 2008	Roger Landin	Drums
Country	Sweden	Mike A./Björn E.	Keyboard
Similar artists	Pagan's Mind, Circus Maximus, Symphony X

Global Drama is Cloudscape's third album and the follow-up to their critically acclaimed releases Cloudscape (2005) and Crimson Skies (2006). With Crimson Skies they developed their sound and arrangements a bit and incorporated more progressive elements and darker melodies. On Global Drama they have proceeded on the path they paved with Crimson Skies and this is definitely their most mature album so far. The song structures are a bit more complex and they have done a magnificent work on the arrangements. With this said I must clarify that the main focus still is set on melodies rather than practise scales.

Just as the case was with Crimson Skies my initial impressions of Global Drama were a bit lukewarm. In fact, my first reaction was disappointment but on the fifth listening session (while mowing the lawn…) I found my way through this sonic maze and what I found on the other side was nothing but fantastic! The song writing and arrangements on Global Drama is on an amazing level that only few can compete with.

The album is also by far their most diverse output to date with a perfect blend of aggressiveness in the shape of thunderous guitars and distorted vocals as well as softer beautiful melodic stuff. The highlights of the album can be found in the beautiful and brilliantly arranged prog-rock piece Alagoas with its haunting melodies, Darkest Legacy with a chorus that sticks like glue and the heavy and rhythmical Cloak & Daggers that will make every head out there bang!

The greatness of Cloudscape has never been questioned for my part but this time they really have outdone their previous efforts. With the exception of a couple of indifferent tracks this is pure prog-metal heaven with a performance that few are capable of. Well done boys, could I have another one please…?