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WITHEM
The Point Of You

Sensory (2013)
Rating: 9/10

Progressive metal has only a handful of bands who can truly claim to be heroes of the genre. Sure, bands come and go, but only a few bring something new to the table that leaves an indelible mark on prog yet to come.

Dream Theater brought the genre to widespread public attention with their well-crafted songs, making it a more accessible style, and Norway’s Withem combines Dream Theater’s ability to write catchy tunes within the prog metal structure with the attack of Symphony X to create the impressive debut The Point Of You.

This is an album that engages the listener from the first track. Title track ‘Point Of You’ starts with a grandiose flourish of guitars and prog rock keyboards that would make the guys in Yes take notice. Guitarist Øyvind V Larsen lays down a heavy riff while keyboard player Ketil Ronold takes this opportunity to make his claim to greatness in the first seconds of the opening song. Musically this track ranges between grooves, showcasing a singalong classic metal chorus, furious high speed metal riffing, and moments that are reminiscent of prog greats like Kansas. It’s not often an album grabs my attention from the first notes, but The Point Of You manages to accomplish just that.

Withem boasts some talented musicians. Bassist Miguel Pereira and drummer Frank Nordeng Røe manage to roll with the constant changes in feel and style that accompany each song, doing more than just keeping a beat. Vocalist Ole Aleksander Wagenius has the power and delivery of Dream Theater’s James LaBrie. His clear tone ensures the lyrics are never lost in the web of sounds created by the band. Larsen’s approach to lead guitar falls along the melodic virtuosity of Joe Satriani. His solos are fluid and add another layer of melody to the already complex arrangements of the songs without overwhelming the listener. Withem shows they excel at what few prog bands can do – creating intense, technical songs, while maintaining the flow that makes them a great listen, not just a musical challenge.

As for the songs themselves, there are many high points on The Point Of You. ‘Miracle’ combines soaring vocals and warp speed breaks with chugging metal riffs. This is one of the best songs presented, and perfectly mixes impressive instrumental chops with a chorus that channels pop metal in the vein of a heavier Europe. ‘Mr. Miruz’ opens with a mind-bending bit of guitar and bass that is tamed by the addition of piano that stands in beautiful defiance of the brutal, twisting sound created by the rhythm section. The result is a mix of sounds that seem like they shouldn’t work together, but fit perfectly. Wagenius’ vocal melodies tie these disparate pieces together into a cohesive whole. ‘Born To Live’ gives a nod to the glorious, victorious sound of power metal. No song stands out as a low point on this album, and that is an impressive feat in its own.

Many otherwise impressive prog metal albums get weighed down under the outstanding musicianship of the band members, often overshadowing the songs. On The Point Of You Withem manages to avoid this trap, crafting songs that have a classic sound, and accenting them with the superb abilities of the band. This is the kind of prog album that can break out of the fanbase of its own genre and have wide appeal to all metal fans. It’s hard to believe this is Withem’s debut, as The Point Of You is one of the most mature, perfectly executed release I’ve heard in the prog metal genre in some time.

Jim McDonald

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