All progressive metal fans: beware of the Italian sensation Raintime. After the great cd Tales from Sadness (2005), Raintime releases their second album Flies and Lies. Both sound and production are outstanding thanks to producer Tommy Hansen (Helloween, TNT). Their new record is a mixture of progressive, power and death metal. The main influences on this album are their favorite band Dream Theater, as well as the threatening sounds of guest vocalists Jacob Bredahl (Hatesphere) and Lars F. Larsen (Manticora).

The title song contains all above mentioned elements: it sounds mean, beautiful and impressive. The contrasts between death metal and the progressive vocals make the song even more interesting. Adding some great progressive instrumental fireworks to both symphonic and death metal parts, you get amazing songs (‘Flies and Lies’, ‘Apelron’, ‘Rolling Changes’).

To be honest there are 10 such a songs on Flies and Lies, some up-tempo (‘Rainbringer’), some mid-tempo (‘Finally Me’). Unfortunately the band also decided to record a cover of Michael Jackson’s ‘Beat It’. I wonder why bands record covers. Just like all the other bands that record covers, Raintime doesn’t quite succeed in improving the original; keep your hands off of these songs.

Flies and Lies is an impressive progressive metal album, musically situated close to the heavy side of Dream Theater, but with some additional death metal influences. An absolute must for every progressive fan. If the band hadn’t recorded ‘Beat It’ it would be rated a 10.