Band:	Rest In Peace
Album:	Oceans Of Time
Style:	Progressive heavy metal
Release date:	2008
A review by:	wrathchild

01. The curtains Of My Lies
02. Nameless War
03. Memory
04. Oceans Of Time
05. At My Side
06. Silence Howls
07. Just A Last One
08. Die Alone
09. Violent World
10. Innocence
11. No Answer

It took me some time to realize I had already heard of the band Rest In Peace before, as their last release dates back to 2003.
It's no surprise to discover that this new album, Oceans Of Time, was recorded by an almost new band, although two of the founding members are still present.

This being said -and although I'm not that familiar with their 3 previous efforts, only a few changes are to be found in the music, remaining heavy, somewhat prog and slightly power metal. Unfortunately - and there I seem not to agree with Jeff's review, the result is far from being as effective as the description can imply. Simply put, most songs have a few interesting moments but those don't last long. It can be due to repetitiveness, with choruses for instance, or to a lack of surprise, of rhythmic changes. See, it's a bit like the music flows endlessly into your ears but without you being able to seize it. It's not catchy.
After listening to the album a few times, I found there's no riff I wanna headbang to, no solo to make me go into an air-guitar frenzy, no chorus I feel invited to sing along to, no ballad I would play to my girl to make it a night to remember... (hum, if any girl wants to prove me wrong, contact me).
Though as I said, the album is not bad, but it could have been better. The opening song, "The Curtains Of My Lies" features some good heavy riffage (some could do well in a thrash song) but I'd like to cut it by half so as to prevent it from ever sounding boring. That's the same with most of the songs on Oceans Of Time: the first minute makes me think the song will prove a good listen, but by the time I've reached the middle of the track I'm no longer into it.
I'll mention the second track too for it reminds me of a Vanden Plas song (I don't remember the title, sorry), it may give you a better idea of how Rest In Peace sounds and how it could sound better (say, like VP does). The song "At My Side" reminded me of Blaze, and I guess some other songs may arise some similar memories.
Then I must also add that the production could be improved so as to convey more feelings. It's not bad but quite standard, thus making it slightly hard to get into what the musicians offer.

So what's left to say? The usual "go and check the album out with the few samples available on the band's MySpace" for it may appeal to fans of the genres I listed earlier, and more generaly speaking to melodic metal fans. But to me it still lacks something in the songwriting and the originality, something that could really move me.