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CONDITION RED

Progressive Metal • Sweden


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Condition Red picture
Condition Red biography
Condition Red mixed progressive metal with hard rock, neoclassical and fusion on the daring debut album. The album contains 8 longer tracks of which 3 are all instrumental. The album was released by Lion Music July 2000. Complex arrangements with symphonic orchestra and full blast solos from some of todays greatest musicians. Progressive metal was taken to a new level on a concept album that fuses progressive metal with fusion and neoclassical. Alex Masi, Derek Sherinian, Lars Eric Mattsson need to further introduction and the newcomers had no problem fitting in. Condition Red's debut album was written late 1999 and recorded between January and April 2000. The lyrics are all about living in the modern world and trying to stay alive but there is also lots of instrumental moments on this release. Condition Red are here to explore and develop new ground rather than follow the steps of others, and it's complicated rhythms and arrangements are not like any other releases that we know of, at least. Ella Grussner's violin and vocals are an essential part of this project, and this is a young woman we bet will have a bright future in music. 2 of the best guitarists around plus 2 amazing keyboardists, Derek Sherinian who is well known for his work with Dream Theater, Planet X, Platypus and Alice Cooper plus amazing newcomer Alexander King are giving the fans of shredding what they want, but still the songs are always in focus. Ths is music for people with open minds.





Why this artist must be listed in www.progarchives.com :
It blends progressive metal, neo classical with fusion and symphonic.



Discography:
- Condition Red (2000)
- Condition Red II (2003)

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CONDITION RED discography


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CONDITION RED top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

3.81 | 12 ratings
Condition Red
2000
3.96 | 13 ratings
II
2003
3.69 | 13 ratings
Illusion of Truth
2016

CONDITION RED Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

CONDITION RED Videos (DVD, Blu-ray, VHS etc)

CONDITION RED Boxset & Compilations (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

CONDITION RED Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

CONDITION RED Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 II by CONDITION RED album cover Studio Album, 2003
3.96 | 13 ratings

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II
Condition Red Progressive Metal

Review by b_olariu
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Condition Red is one of the bands where is seen Lars Eric Mattson on line-up. Besides his solo career, he is also a very busy man in other bands, like this one, Book of refelction and with his band but without Lars Eric - simply Mattson. Well this album is realy good, named simply - II from 2003. Not entirely an album under prog metal flag, here are some very nice moments a la Magenta, specialy the vocal parts made by Ella Grussner, some very intristing instrumental pieces, some of the moments remind me of Yngwie Malmsteen but very well played and damn catcy all the time. On this album is also invited another well known guitar player Alex Masi - who plays on 3 pieces. So all in all a great album, very variated, with neoclassical aproach and very dynamic elements, this is not another prog metal album, with great keyboards attacks made by Lars himself and Alexander King and very strong are the drums made by Gerald Kloos. The best pieces are Eye Of A Storm, all instrumental ones and the smooth Time Passes By. I will give 4 stars for sure, great album, desearve a better view by anyone intrested to find who this Lars Eric Mattson is, in what project did he plays. And by the way he is the master behind the well known LionMusic label. If you want to buy something diffrent in prog metal field try this one, he is available on LionMusic on a nice price. Recommended and 4 stars.
 II by CONDITION RED album cover Studio Album, 2003
3.96 | 13 ratings

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II
Condition Red Progressive Metal

Review by Gatot
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars This second album by Condition Red proves that they are much more matured musically and in terms of style this one is heavier, i.e. more progressive metal, than the debut album. The music has much more clear direction as all songs contained here in this II album share similar styles combining heavy metal and neoclassical with good melody line. As for musical taste, I like this album more than the debut one because it's more energetic even though the jazz components have disappeared here. But the remaining is really stunning!

Matured musically and clearer music direction

It opens nicely with "The Warning" (1:20) through a great combination of violin and ambient keyboard which creates an overall tone of the album. It shifts wonderfully and energetically to the second track "Eye Of A Storm" (5:25) in relatively fast tempo. The key attraction point is the dynamic keyboard sound followed with heavy music with guitar riffs. It flows in power metal style accompanying Ella vocal work. The keyboard solo is really stunning throughout the track. "Cycles" (5:03) starts with keyboard solo which than flows dynamically (and interestingly!) in neoclassical style for such relatively long period followed with music riffs that brings the music flows nicely. I find many passages in this album that use similar neoclassical style like this and it makes me more interested with the music. It's stunning, really. It's like combining Rick Wakeman with progressive metal music. "Time Passes By" (4:46) slows down the music but it still an interesting track. "The Eagle's Return" (3:03) starts with drum solo and the music is similar with Iron Maiden plus stunning keyboard solo. "It's Not Too Late" (6:58) is like a ballad with great acoustic guitar work plus good vocal line by Ella augmented with nice keyboard.

"Rondo" (3:24) is presented with great guitar solo combined with string section. It's really a nice composition. "Why Won't You Hear Me?" (6:05) brings the music into more grandiose setting with excellent combination of keyboard, string section and guitar riffs followed beautifully with short keyboard solo right before Ella enters her vocal into the music. "Seven Stars" (3:42) starts wonderfully with guitar distortion and effects followed with intertwining keyboard and guitar works. "In/Out" (2:19) demonstrates good bass guitar solo followed with blast of symphonic power metal music. "Train Insane" (4:21) returns the music back into neoclassical power metal. "Out Of The Red" (2:11) closes the album with mellow style music combining keyboard and guitar fills.

Overall, this album deserves more than excellent music with its root on progressive metal using intense neoclassical metal with the sound of keyboard. The production quality is much better than the debut album. It's an excellent addition to any prog music collection with 4.5 stars rating. Highly recommended. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW (i-Rock! Music Community)

 Condition Red by CONDITION RED album cover Studio Album, 2000
3.81 | 12 ratings

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Condition Red
Condition Red Progressive Metal

Review by Gatot
Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator

4 stars I found the band by accident when I looked at the CD at local CD store and a friend of mine letting me know that this is a prog band. So I purchased the CD and quite impressed with the music (forget about production quality!) but was surprised that the band was not featured yet at this site. I did not have a chance to upload the band into this site but finally I could do it last night and this is my view about their debut album:

Musically, it's a joy listening to this album!

This is practically right for me because I do like music that blends many styles and textures into one piece of music like this self-titled album by Condition Red. The categorization of Condition Red in progressive metal box is debatable but I can assure that there are many passages that remind me to progressive metal vein. Remember band like Aghora? It was quite tough to categorize under prog met, actually, because the blend elements of jazz fusion into their music. So is the case with Condition Red: you will hear many tempo and style changes ranging from regular hard rock into a bit of symphonic, neoclassical and also jazz rock fusion which for those who don't get used to their music might have thought that the band has no clear direction. Well, I have to disagree with that dictum as I find that this band has gathered their concerted efforts to blend music from different kind of horizons. The result is an excellent album, musically.

From the opening track "Calls Out My Name" (10:28) which has violin solo as opening part makes it quite attractive to expect what's going on later with their music. The combined notes of piano, keyboard, bass at the passage following violin solo reminds me to neoclassical tune which flows beautifully through an acrobatic music comprising piano and its syncopated beats using drums. Oh, guitar also moves so quickly with its complex notes in the vein of Yngwie Malmsteen. The bass guitar is an interesting part to observe. The vocal line comprises female and male voices.

The next track "Judgement Day" (10:31) provides great sax solo which makes the music quite unique. This song is actually not quite attractive at its opening part that comprises keyboard work. But as the music flows with great keyboard (organ) sounds in jazzy style it shows the critical point where the music sounds different compared to other music. When sax works enter the music it makes the music is solid in its composition. The guitar solo that follows is also stunning. Jazz elements sound so transparent with this track. "Life Is Now" (8:51) brings the music in more upbeat music with energetic riffs. The organ solo is really nice and sounds like a blend of vintage and modern music. This track involves Derek Sherinian (ex Dream Theater) on keyboard.

"Bach On The Streets Again" (5:15) is a hard rocker with excellent guitar melody with some passages that demonstrate changes in styles. It's an attractive track. "Fly Me High" (4:58) brings the music down into more mellow style even though not that mellow. "Lighthouse" (8:26) demonstrates great intertwining roles between guitar and keyboard. The music suddenly moves into jazzy style with sax solo followed nicely by acoustic guitar solo. "Learning To Live" (4:30) is a riff-based music with good male vocal. The album concludes nicely with "Final Words" (7:41) in relatively mellow style with stunning guitar solo. The keyboard solo and bass playing are great!

Overall, this is a mix of styles that result in an excellent music that would favor those who like prog metal but it might also work nicely for those who like jazz fusion. This is not progressive metal like Dream Theater. Unfortunately the CD sonic quality is not that good due to low cost production, I believe. But, musically is still an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW (i-Rock! Music Community)

Thanks to gatot for the artist addition.

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