CloverSeeds – The Opening (The Laser’s Edge)

With a sobriquet like CloverSeeds, you might expect an acid folk or psych pop band. This French quintet, however, instead explores progressive rock with a metallic edge on its second LP The Opening. Eschewing both the mindless complexity of Dream Theater or the headbanging crunch of Fates Warning, instead CloverSeeds use the dramatic sweep of metal anthemry to provide character for their widescreen tunes. Frontman Cedric Oleon has a powerful voice that pushes against the edge of operatic wailing, but pulls back just before going over the top. Guitarists Fabrice Jacquet and Pierre Librini are far more interested in texture and atmosphere than virtuosity, preferring to weave webs instead of smashing concrete. “Brand New Day,” “Fam(l)ar” and the title tune sound arena-ready, using dramatic melodies to give emotions wide play. It almost gets exhausting throughout the course of an album, but the final cut “Enough,” with its sedate opening, careful buildup and massed harmonies, takes the record out in breathcatching fashion.

http://www.myspace.com/cloverseeds
http://www.lasersedgegroup.com