Soundscape - Insatiable [1B] (2018)

Soundscape, the progressive metal band that I have often felt to be 1 of the only fans of, online/social media. Namely 10 years ago when their long delayed 2nd LP Grave New World was finally released.

Although I suppose it does go back to the late 90's with Discovery's release and Man and Machine. They did even get written up in Metal Edge (how I found out about them), and they played at ProgDay I recall 3 straight years. Also Powermad (or maybe it was that festival they played 3 straight years? or maybe both? I forget). But I know Soundscape found or retained a bunch of fans who frequent ProgPowerUSA and ProgDay (also Ken Golden from The Lasers Edge used to carry their cds I recall). And the progressive rock/progressive metal/Dream Theater+Fates Warning fans.

So I wonder/hope some of those folks will get wind of this new music from Soundscape.

Anyway, this is a new song "Insatiable" from them which I'm unclear of something.

1) Is this, and only this that is being released tomorrow, Friday the 13th?
2) Is this the 1st single for a full-length that is coming out tomorrow, Friday the 13th?

I know they have a full-length album coming per they wrote and recorded over the last year or so per photos and updates on their Facebook page.

And for me, this is great news of course, although there is a part of me of  that assumes a new album from them may not be able to match those 2 what I consider Masterpiece 5-star albums Discovery and Grave New World.

And I was trying to think of what artists have that perfect record for me: Apes and Androids and The River Empires I guess are the only others, and in those cases, they only have 1. Toy Matinee I suppose as well per I don't consider The 3rd Matinee album part of the same discography, especially per Kevin Gilbert wasn't involved.

I mean there are some cases with 2 proper full-length albums that are close (Jellyfish namely), but Soundscape are the only clear case. They in-effect did a few others like Man and Machine and the Ilago rock opera, but that wasn't fully Soundscape (nor was Rob Thorne's America: The Beautiful).

But that all being said, tomorrow, more will come out. I would think if the full album doesn't come, some details about it hopefully will.

And I think I may need to post an entry about this April 2018 being quite a big month for new albums. The Family Crest, Kindo, Kimbra, Janelle Monae and now Soundscape? and a few others. Not unprecedented (June 2009 was a biggie among other months), but this may be the biggest month of the year at least.

As for "Insatiable" I do like it, although Todd Rose's almost-industrial guitar tone and Rob's vocal style add to some new/different elements to this. I'm wondering if Rob has decided to not sing at some of the higher/almost falsetto ranges much of the Soundscape work has? I know he has sang for Sacred Oath for decades, but I've honestly never been able to get into them. Although I haven't spent a ton of time actually, in fairness. But I wonder if the vocals on this 1st track Insatiable are a product of the range Rob sings at now. Or perhaps just for this song?

I guess that will be known when hearing the rest of the upcoming record.





Info w/ quote from Rob Thorne

“This song is all about addiction and the power it wields on both sides. As a father of 3 children, I see what’s going on around me - kids sitting in groups staring down at their phones not speaking to each other, kids choosing to Face Time in to a party instead of actually go. It’s weird. They’re addicted to the illusion that social media is a better experience than the world that’s happening right in front of them, and, honestly, I think it’s as scary as the opioid problem. That’s why we draw those parallels in the lyric video. And look at the companies that are profiting. Apple,Facebook, Verizon, Purdue Pharma... are they really making the world a better place? Really?”

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Significant Albums: Soundscape - Grave New World (2009)

Original Long-winded review from 2009



I'm not sure how much more I can add to this Significant Album listing from that extensive review I wrote in 2009, that wouldn't be a ton of rehash.

I guess given it's been 5 years, I have not played this record extensively since that year, but I have had it on my mind still, especially recently for some reason.

I think part of my thought about it is, I still love it, and it is a big step up in production from Discovery. Soundscape also still stand out over a lot of the so-called "prog metal" that keeps being made, so much so, I think that is why I love this record even beyond my unhealthy fanboy-ism for the band.

But, I guess in retrospect, expecting a lot of people to catch-on to them was a bit naive. Forgetting the fact they were a name from the past, that never got much recognition when they 1st came out. Really, only among a select few into progressive metal and Dream Theater.

But traditional sounding prog metal has become watered down so much, even if a band like Soundscape stands out to me, to others? they are just caught up in a large numbers game.

But then again, to my ears they do stand out, and this record stands out in many ways. I just can't fathom seeing new fans acquiring even half the amount of interest I had, even if they love Rush and Fates Warning like I do.

But, it doesn't matter all that much now anyway. The record stands up, and this was a huge deal to finally get released in 2009, after waiting 10 years, and not really believing it would ever be released (but knowing it was made in some form at least).

Production was maybe the biggest thing that stood out on this record. It's incredibly clean and clear. It showed why the 10-year wait was well worth it.

I guess I can claim this to be 1 of if not my favorite more traditional sounding prog metal records, released in the last 5 years. And that is why I still find it stands out as well.

There's not any music on it that drags, or seems out of place, or just bugs me. The vocals, the guitar work, the keyboard textures, which are maybe even greater in many ways than on Discovery. I used to describe Soundscape like Fates Warning with really bubbly keys, and that is still present on Grave New World.

I dunno, I probably should and will go back to it soon and be even more reassured how much I enjoy about this record. It's 76 minutes, but it never feels long to me.

Is it their last work? likely. I would love to even just see them live once, but odds are maybe better I win the Megamillions, lol. At ProgPowerUSA would be the only likely time, and the cost of that festival and priorities seem low, even if they did go. I would go for just seeing a reunion show in Connecticut instead. It's too bad, Rob Thorne's activity with Sacred Oath still happens, so you'd think at some point the opportunity, desire, or even IDEA might still come up. But if it did, he might contact me. Maybe when his kids are older? lol..wishful thinking of course.

Soundscape's Facebook page

Stream some sample tracks per FB