VORDONA – Quadrivium
Release Date: 27th June 2023
Label: Sliptrick Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Progressive Metal
FFO: Dream Theatre, Source, Symphony X, Textures, The Contortionist.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
Progressive metal is a genre that often divides opinions, especially when it comes to bands that don’t incorporate more extreme elements. It’s rare to find high-quality “traditional” Prog lately, but Vordona attempts to deliver that with their album Quadrivium.
Their sound can be described as a blend of Dream Theater and Source (check out Return to Nothing for reference). However, there’s also a lingering melancholy in their sound and lyrics that sets them apart from the typical mold, which I consider a positive aspect. The Prelude, though, could be omitted from the album without any loss. Dark Moons would be the stronger opening track with its heavy Djent-like guitars, varied song passages, and catchy vocals. The vocalist’s pained delivery adds depth to the music, and I appreciate that.
Altered Perception stands out as another highlight of the album, with the guitarists and singer synching in a unique yet pleasing way. This might sound strange at first, but it works. If you’re expecting relentless brutality, you won’t find it here. Vordona‘s strength lies in the subtle changes within their music, but they certainly don’t shy away from heavy riffs. The Contortionist might serve as a good comparison to Vordona—they sound heavy, but they don’t bludgeon you over the head with aggression.
Moving on to Deliverance, the melancholic atmosphere intensifies. This is perhaps the catchiest song on Quadrivium, evoking the feeling of desperately swimming up from cold water (in case you ever end up in this situation, it’s better to remain calm and float than swimming up in panic). The bass work in this song is particularly impressive. Overall, the bass player maintains a low-key yet enjoyable presence throughout the entire album. This isn’t an easy feat, as many bands either overlook the bass or complicate its role excessively.
The album is crafted in a way that gives the impression of a single continuous song, which could be seen as a nod to Dream Theater. It’s hard to ignore the similarity between the titles Quadrivium and Octavarium, and the cover art also bears some resemblance to Ne Obliviscaris’ Urn. However, these similarities may be coincidental. Another positive aspect worth noting is that despite its lengthy songs, Quadrivium doesn’t overindulge in its duration. It remains compact by progressive standards (a genre notorious for lengthy albums). Furthermore, the production is excellent, with a decent dynamic range and crystal-clear sound. No instrument or section becomes overbearing—it simply sounds really good!
Quadrivium does have a few drawbacks, though. All the songs follow an extremely similar structure, which becomes even more apparent when they are interconnected. As mentioned earlier, the subtlety in their approach means you shouldn’t expect adrenaline-fuelled moments that will blow you away. While I hesitate to label music as boring, as it’s an overused term in reviews, I must admit that the album didn’t leave a lasting impression on me, even though I enjoyed it. Plus, the outro feels out of place and left me a bit confused. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for old-school Prog with a touch of sadness and thick riffs, Vordona might just be the right band for you!
(3 / 5)
