VICINITY – Awakening

Vicinity hails from Norway, and Awakening is their 2 full-length release — the 1 since the departure of bassist Kristian Nergård (and MER Crew Member!). Vicinity is a Progressive Metal band that knows how to rock, but also has a penchant towards incorporating atmospheric musical passages and lyrics that seemingly float through the airwaves.  Awakening is comprised of only 6 tracks, but don’t let that make you think this is an EP … nope, those 6 tracks tally up 54 minutes of quality music.  Vocalist Alex Lykke has a smooth and pleasurable delivery, which is close to a perfect fit for Vicinity’s brand of Progressive Rock, and his performance is borderline outstanding. The musicianship provided by Kim-Marius H. Olsen (guitars), Pierre Nicolai Schmidt-Melbye (bass), and Frode Lillevold (drums) is solid, but less innovative than say Progressive Power Metal stalwarts such as Pagan’s Mind … and less atmospheric than Progressive Rock gurus Pink Floyd. Awakening lands somewhere in the middle of those two bands, and is an overall enjoyable listen that works best when you have the ability and time to give the album your undivided attention.

Be sure to check out Vicinity as this week’s GUEST DJ on the Metal Express Radio Guest DJ Hour Show, airing at 15:00 and 21:00 CET, 9am and 3pm EST!  We’ll play most or all of Awakening after the Show, so be sure to tune in and stay tuned after Vicinity’s DJ set list to hear what they have to offer!