Progressive metal can sometimes be a crap shoot. If the music doesn't exactly sound like something that came before it, it can be lumped into the category of "progressive". Does good production, a few keys thrown in, or clean vocals automatically make it progressive? If I banged on a pot with a large brick, does that make it progressive? Or is that primitive? I guess it depends on if the pot is cast iron, or coated with Teflon. Anyway, that brings me to the topic at hand, THE MYSTERY HALL.

THE MYSTERY HALL do resemble some bands that have come before them. You can hear THE QUILL, WATCHTOWER, and YNGWIE MALMSTEEN in many tracks of this sweet-sounding opus. The vocal department, helmed by Rafael Morata, could slip easily onto any QUILL record without missing a beat. The guitar and keys of Spanish string-master Tony Baena, are awesome. Each song can stand alone as a complete and ambitiously sweeping work. There is also the vibe that these musicians are serving songs as opposed to showcasing their skills at some kind of talent contest, like an YNGWIE record. This feels like a band, not a one-off super session. "Underground" for example has some very simple licks for a virtuoso to play, but they work for the song, necessitating their inclusion. In other words, THE MYSTERY HALL aren't progressive simply for the sake of turning heads and impressing fellow musicians. Overall, it's a great effort from a great band, and I hope I see more from them. Fans of PLANKTON, QUEENSRŸCHE (Mindcrime-era) and any other well-played melodic rock need to check these guys out.

- Murtaugh

OFFICIAL SITE: www.themysteryhall.com

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