Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Dutch melodic metal band "Montany" has it's original roots in the late '80s. After several line-up changes over the years, only one of the founding members remained (this is the only member name I CAN'T find - either John Brederode or Stefan Brederode are possibilities) in 1995, when Patrick van Maurik joined up. Montany moved away from their hard rock roots to a melodic metal style which remains to this day. When guitarists Dirk Hoek and Albert Houwaart joined the ranks, their thrash metal influences (coming from former band Detonator) suited MONTANY very well. Demos were struck in 1999 that eventually led to the production and release of their first LP, "New Born Day."

The album follows in the grand tradition of bands like Rhapsody, Stratovarius and Mob Rules, with the successful marriage of a concept album mixed with great melodic metal. The story on "New Born Day" has something to do with aliens, but lyrically the album is stilted, repetitive and not clear about the particulars of the "alien" story. The vocals are pretty average for this type of album as well. Thankfully there are a lot of instrumentals, which manages to override what the record lacks in lyrics and vocals. 

Musically this album is a great listen. The band manages to cover the musical spectrum with epic orchestration, great mid-tempo tracks and a few speed numbers. "Here In The Light," "World Of Dreams (The Evermore)" and "Deep Water Rising" showcase a feel for memorable melodies, with numerous brilliant solos by the two guitarists, Hoek and Houwaart. In "Back From The Sky" and "Chains Of Glory," Montany's passion for ultramodern, dark guitar riffs shine through. Overall this is a great listen if you don't exert yourself trying to figure out what it's about!