CD Review: Factory Of Art - Back To Life (Progressive Power Metal, 2024)

 The new Factory Of Art album is a surprise to me in any way it could be.

Finally a brand new Factory Of Art album has been released.

Brand new songs by a band that has been inactive for a long time? I was a bit unsure what to expect.

But it's already the first track called "Abysses" that calms my mind down. A decent fast track with a lot of progressive splitters that ignites a light in my mind.  It feels a bit long towards the end.

The midtempo of "Burning Wings" continues the heavy trademarks of the band and enriches them with keyboard elements that run through the whole song. It's a solid track.

"Blessing in Disguise" sets a dark mood and majestic sound. Not my favorite. It's not a bad song but feels a bit long and I think other tunes of the album are far better.

The band sounds better when they keep it more on a heavy and direct note. That's why I prefer songs like "Silent Room" or "Face Behind The Mask". They simply keep me closer to the stereo system and give me a  bigger positive push.  Most of all the least one with it's many various vocal variations stand out of the ten tracks. 

Happily the band never stresses the listener with too long songs or too stretched instrumental sections. That why I like them so much - it all remains compact and well listenable.

The longer tracks deserve to be longer and towards the end of the record the duration is cut shorter. It's good to hear that the band has the ability to come to a end at the proper moments. When it's over - it's over. 

"Decadence" for example is a bright and fast track but at the same remains so good because everything's arranged to the proper moments so it remains exciting to listen. Hold on 'till the songs end - it's well worth it.

Listening to the sound it's for sure a modern production. I've chosen to listen on less high volume because more details came through for me this way.  

I would encourage listener of heavier progressive metal music to purchase this album. It's not available for streaming with the exception of the video of "Blessing In Disguise".

Beside the songs it's the fine artwork and the colored vinyl in gatefold packaging that deserve the record to be added to your collection. 

With prices ranging from 15 Euro for the CD up to 30 bucks for the double vinyl I think it's still not too expensive. It's available directly by the band's own webshop.

Win Tickets for the album release show of Factory Of Art

Wonders happen every day. I believe in this. It's one of these moments when I saw that after twenty years the German Power Metal Proggers Factory Of Art are going to release a brand new record. 

It will be called "Back To Life". Without saying too much I can already promise you that it will be worth the waiting time. Factory Of Art performs the songs with a distinct own note that's full of dedication and intensity. I think that listeners need to take a close ear with patience to fully understand the music.

That's one good news but the even better one is that I can send three readers along with one friend each to the record release party that is going to take place on Thursday June 6th 2024 at the "Hellraiser" venue in Leipzig, Germany. 

The band offered me the chance to raffle those tickets. The winners will be put on the guest list and will have free entrance to the show. All you need to do is to send a E-Mail to the address mentioned in my Blogger profile. Let me know the name of one of the releases of Factory Of Art plus your full real name and you're in. Please send your messages until/before May 24th 2024.

For all those who don't want to try the luck: you can also purchase tickets directly of the band's webshop for just 10 Euro each plus shipping and handling. 

In case you're not sure if it's worth it...here's one of the new songs for you to enjoy.

Be sure to follow the band on Facebook. It's a exciting time as the release of the new album draws closer with every day...

Factory Of Art restart activities after 20 years

It's great to hear a band is coming back you didn't even knew before. This is what happened to me as I was introduced to the progressive Power Metal music of the german band Factory Of Art.

Factory Of Art bandshot taken at a liveshow.

Having sent me a Email with two linked YouTube videos I was blown away by "No tears" taken of the 2002 output "The Tempter".

It's music performed and composed like I had wished for in my mind. The riffs go a straight way and some keyboards in a lighter way set the basic for the mood of the song.

The drums powerfull and hard keep it straight forward so the progressive style never becomes too complicated and unstructured also this is surely not a easy pattern to perform. The drum sound is also great - it's held in a more dry tonality so it's good to follow.  

But most of all the vocals left a lasting impression on me. They haunt you with it's spoken und darker tone and totally leave a emotional expression left behind in me. it's going under the skin as we are here in Germany going to say.

Happily it's not all past as the band is going to perform the next show in 2022 on the 10. December 2022 at Tonelli's in Leipzig (Germany).

In addition to that the guys are working on new material and the first four songs are said to be already finished with some guests who aren't revealed any closer yet. 

In the meantime they are occasionally going to publish live videos of Factory of Art concerts from the past year to bridge the waiting time in an interesting way. 

Make sure to keep a eye further on this great band. I can't believe I should have missed them in all the years before.

Factory Of Art website

Factory Of Art Facebook