PLATITUDE

Released in 2004, Platitude's 'Nine' is the follow-up to their debut album, 'Secrets of Life', which was released just a year prior, and it's evident in such a short time how much this band has matured and polished their sound.

Part progressive metal, part power metal, somewhat labelled as 'melodic metal', Platitude have that very distinctive European metal style down to a tee. Their songs are pretty easy to get into, with high-energy guitar riffs and beautifully melodic keyboards, this is essentially prog metal which doesn't require a dozen listens to pick up. Vocalist Erik Blomkvist has an incredible voice, able to hit the high notes while keeping warmth in his tone when not wailing away, his is a voice I could easily listen to all day.

One major difference between this album and its predecessor is that while 'Secrets of Life' had a very neoclassical edge to it, with a huge emphasis on shredding and virtuoso guitar playing, 'Nine' has taken a step back and stripped down the number of acrobatics. This favours guitarist Gustav Kollerstrom heavily, as his style is more riff-oriented, and while he isn't known by any means for being a guitar guru, his performance and songwriting is impeccable and consistently interesting, and the very few times he does truly let rip stand out even more because of it.

Some of the highlights from this album include 'Skies of Xenon', 'Dark Mind', 'Trust', 'Halcyon Days', 'Oblivion' and 'Catch 22'. But pretty much every song on this release is of a high standard, making 'Nine' by Platitude an incredibly underrated hidden gem, by a band which sadly mostly stayed under the radar of fans of this genre. If you're into melodic metal, then this, or its successor, 'Silence Speaks' are definitely worth checking out.

Well, here's a pleasant little gem from a band that approximately nobody has heard of. 'Silence Speaks' by Platitude is proof that if you dig around in the right places, you will eventually strike gold. Sadly, this band split up shortly after the release of this album, which is a huge shame as with this, their third record, they stripped away a lot of the neo- classical elements of their previous records and went with a more simpler, "melodic metal" vibe. And it sounds great!

This is progressive/power metal, without all the musical virtuosity, and it shows that sometimes taking elements from progressive metal, but focusing on the song-writing as much as the "showing off" can really benefit the music.

Now with only one guitarist in the band, Gustav Kollerstroms stripped down riffs compliment Kristofer Wachenfeldts keyboard melodies perfectly, leaving as much emphasis on both instruments to really play off of each other. And with Erik "EZ" Blomkvists warm, and very easy-to-listen-to vocals, this album is an absolute joy from start to finish. Highlights from this album include 'Tell the Truth', 'Silence Speaks', 'Fear (It's Over Now)' and 'Walk With Me'; each song sadly lost in today's vast musical landscape.

Whilst this isn't a record that was set to kick off a new musical revolution, it certainly is a nice little addition to any prog or power metal fans collection, and it's a shame with the new direction they were headed in, that Platitude never really got any recognition and disbanded unheard of. 'Silence Speaks' is the true definition of a "hidden gem".

'Secrets of Life' is the debut album by the relatively unknown Platitude, and can best be described as a "generic power metal album". I don't mean this in a bad way, but there's really not much that can be said about it. It's a solid record, with some great compositions and polished production, and perfectly blends elements from power, progressive and speed metal. There's also some strong neo-classical vibes to some of the songs, which always adds some nice flavour. But overall, there's just nothing groundbreaking or amazing that sets them apart from similar bands.

With two guitarists and a keyboard player in the band, there is plenty of intense melodies and solos, with all three players working together perfectly and with great chemistry to come up with some exciting and complex songs, and Erik "EZ" Blomkvist's vocals fit perfectly with this genre of music.

It may be a "generic" album, but songs such as 'Deception', 'Just One Try', 'Evil Sky' and the title track, make this a worthy addition to a metal fans collection.

An album that blew me away at first spin!

Well, it's probably I have more power metal blood that makes me feel okay and in fact blew away when the first time I spun this album by Platitude couple of weeks ago. Nothing is new, actually, but the music is really good. You might find this kind of music with bands like Stratovarious, Sonata Arctica, Helloween, Rhapsody and many more in power metals or progressive metal scene. So, style-wise this is not something new and you might have been bored with widespread bands on this music style. But again, the music is so energetic and most of the songs have great melody. The opening track "Deception" (5:40) is very melodic and it has excellent music harmonies throughout the song which flows in fast tempo. It continues with faster tempo track "Just one try" (3:23) which these two songs also have stunning keyboard solo despite speed fast bass pedal drum. Guitar also provides great riffs, rhythm section as well as catchy solo. In fact, I really love the guitar solo that concludes track 2: it's so simple but it rocks!

"Dance thru the fire" (4:16) starts with fast speed guitar work in the vein of Yngwie Malmsteen followed inventively by keyboard punch which reminds me to the music of Stratovarious, even though they are different. Again, vocal line is very powerful and melodic with a high speed tempo of the music. Keyboard and guitar provide good intertwining roles in their solo. Having heard three songs with high power, the fourth track "Memories" (4:35) is a ballad sweet song in slow rock style. "Anima" (3:25) brings the music back into a high energy song with inventive keyboard at intro part. This song has great keyboard maneuver in some transition segments and they make the music interesting. The guitar solo, even though not that long, during the interlude part is stunning.

"Last sunset" (3:32) starts off with excellent keyboard solo followed with guitar riffs and music in fast tempo speed. This song has an attractive groove and rhythm section even though there is nothing new, musically. "Raining tears" (5:22) starts with drum beats and bass which bring the music into quite long instrumental opening. A good track with different style from other tracks. The guitar riffs remind me to Dream Theater. The title track "Secrets of life" (4:07) starts with dynamic drumwork followed with fast tempo music and melodic vocal harmonies. "Illusions" (4:43) kicks off with rough guitar riffs. The album ends with "Evil sky" (5:46) excellently. Unless other tracks, this concluding track opens with vibraphone work and long sustain keyboard work followed by high energy music.

Overall, this is a good delivery of power metal music which has excellent melody in each nine high energy tracks plus one ballad song. All songs are excellent in terms of composition and music harmonies. I though that this album would tend to bore me, but in fact the more I spin it, the more I like it. I highly recommend this album to those of you who like power metal music with band such as Stratovarious, Helloween, Sonata Arctica, Royal Hunt. Keep on proggin' .!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

More pressive aspect in this album,the varety of song is more than her firts album. More slowly nice backing vocal job .Great keys ambient and the work on this album is for sure,better.For amateur of Prog??? I don't think !!! i recomend for fans of Power-Metal.

Platitude first album is OK.But not very original and little touch of Pogressive. More Power metal song on this album nice guitar melody remain me like Iron maiden the vocal make is first steep in metal land and is visible. The quality ofsong of this album is very good,the mastering make powefull job.