CAGE - Astrology
September 7, 2000, 23 years ago
(Omega)
This is the follow-up to the self-produced Unveiled debut, which launched the San Diego-based quintet to international recognition, thanks to winning a Euro magazine contest and playing a high profile Dynamo date. Although I'd heard about half this album in demo form, it was not as an immediate listen as its predecessor. The material is more developed, particularly the lyrics of Sean Peck. Apart from the twisted ballad 'Vandalized', every track is a reality-based sci-fi adventure, taking the listener some time to digest the concepts. 'Echelon' deals with the American government's supercomputer/satellite, which makes it possible to track voice communication. 'Trigger Effect' is the fall-out of a Y2K type disaster, where guns make the laws, and 'Fountain Of Youth', the misuse of cloning. Musically, the familiar Judas Priest-inspired twin guitars are still in evidence, although previous nods to Savatage are absent, and the drumming of newcomer, Mikey Niel stands apart from the initial go-round.
