RSM - No! - Album Review - Progressive Rock from Łódź, Poland - Progressive Rock Album of 2021
Today we are once again featuring the promising progressive rock project, RSM, from Łódź, Poland, this time with their fascinating new album, "No!" I questioned almost everything and came to the conclusion that No! is the Progressive Rock Album of 2021 by Metalhead Community.
RSM, Awakening - Official Music Video.
Today, once again we are talking about the personal project of Polish composer and producer Rafał Szewczyk, who we have featured here on Metalhead Community with the first single off from "No!" album, Awakening. The inspiring song with Northern vibes also has a great looking music video where vocalist and lyricist, Kjetil Landsgard accompanies Rafał Szewczyk's composition;
First of all, the album was actually released on November 22, 2021, but it took me a long time to get back to this project, psychologically it was difficult for some reason. Today, I am listening to the album maybe for the sixth time, and only now I realize that RSM has a difficult but quite unique beauty here. You can't easily get used to listening to this style for various reasons that everybody might have a different opinion. In my case, the music is so beautiful, Rafał Szewczyk is simply a combination of what I love the most about progressive rock/metal music, keeping aside that I like much heavier than this. But when I think about his influences, I can start counting from Rush, Queen, Pink Floyd, Tool, Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater (John Petrucci), Joe Satriani, Devin Townsend, and with my recent big discovery, Ihsahn. Rafał Szewczyk has every single need to execute this impossible-sounding task, cause otherwise, it would be obviously a poor job. No! in this case, is quite epic.
The main reason I underlined Ihsahn was because of Rafał Szewczyk's innovative thinking, modern ideas in his music. This is an important characteristic that we can't ignore, together with its monstrous musicianship, ocean of musicality, world-class technicality, and level of experience. I am quite impressed by the variety of musical richness here above everything else, which I believe separates RSM from other fantastic progressive rock bands out there.
On the other hand, the difficulty level in this album wasn't what I exactly want to listen mainly because of my current psychology. The difficulty level of the No! album isn't quite too far from what Dream Theater and Opeth for me, cause I know every album of these legendary bands. But compared to their musical level, No! undoubtedly earns every respect there is out there. That's why No! is the progressive rock album of 2021 by Metalhead Community.
The technical side of the work simply has all the "must-haves" in this business. Without quality, it's quite impossible to beat the dragon. No! in this way, is one of the best-sounding modern progressive rock albums I listened to lately. RSM has quite the level of established bands in the world such as Porcupine Tree, Ihsahn, Devin Townsend, in my eyes, with a few slight weaknesses.
Listening to Leo Barbato's vocals (female vocalist on track 4; King), wasn't easy for me, mainly because of her vocal mix and character. This voice character reminds me of the 90s, and that was the plan, I get that. However, I also hear vibes from punk and pop-rock from time to time and I didn't like that feeling. This is the complete opposite of what punk rock bands are sonically doing.
Moreover, hearing big range of music is sometimes difficult to listen to. For instance, the fourth track, KING, has reminded me of the band O.N.A. to me from Rafał Szewczyk's Top 10 Polish Rock Bands article. For some reason, I tried to picture in my head a view of life in Poland in the 90s. What was playing on the radio? which bands were popular?
In the end, I surely enjoyed the album very much, yet it took me some time to get what's really happening here. This was the crucial moment, you've got to give the album at least a few plays, then you'll understand.
THE PROGRESSIVE ROCK ALBUM OF 2021 BY METALHEAD COMMUNITY
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In conclusion, Metalhead Community Team congratulates RSM for their exceptional album No!, and wishes them the very best in their future careers. Thank you for reading.
