If you’re into huge arena-scale prog-rock, Are We Soldiers is one for you. Epic guitar solos, searing vocals, eloquent ambience and Enter Shakari-esque synth, but to me, the biggest thing that Teramaze execute flawlessly is change. Whether it’s change or tempo, style, genre, it seems no one song stays stagnant.
‘Fight Or Flight’ is an impressive opener with Brett Rerekura’s vocals reminding me of early Karnivool and a bridge that makes you want to run a marathon in slow motion. ‘Control Conquer Collide’ delivers a symphonic approach whilst ushering heavier elements akin to Nightwish. ‘Fact Resistant Human’ is a more melodic number which I found a welcomed change.
At times I feel as if prog songs can become a bit self-indulgent and I feel as if ‘Fact Resistant Human’ adopts less technicality and instead relies solely on what’s needed for the song, an approach that works very well. ‘Depopulate’ closes the album with its 12 minutes of grandeur, furthering enhancing just how suited Teramaze would be for playing huge arena shows.
Are We Soldiers is a very worthy album that I can easily see going down a treat in Melbourne’s prog scene.
4/5
Mascot Label Group
Reviewed by Alex Callan
