''Join the revolution!'' - A review of Unbeing's ''Ceres''

They have done it again! I didn't expect the band to be able to beat their amazing previous outputs but here it is and it wasn't even a close call. Unbeing delivers a progressive metal record that should revolutionize the entire genre. This is more than simple music, it's a cinematic experience for your ears, heart and soul. ''Ceres'' tells a mysterious and haunting science-fiction horror story that is intense from start to finish. If you like movies like ''Alien'' or video games like ''Soma'', then this record was made for people like you! The plot unfolds in the massive title track but those who don't care about the story also get the six different instrumental parts of the title song as separate tracks without the dialogues. This is an interesting alternative but you should actually care about the story. Let me tell you that the story isn't always chronologically and completely told and it's up to the listeners to put some of the pieces together which makes this record an intellectually challenging experience in a very intriguing manner. I might suggest you to put your headphones on, get the beautifully crafted digital storyboard ready, dim the lights and experience the title track right away in its entirety without any pauses or disturbances.

You might now say that conceptual science-fiction stories are nothing new in the genre since Ayreon has released numerous records of this kind but ''Ceres'' is still absolutely unique. First of all, this intense story is told in twenty-nine compact minutes and isn't stretched to a double-album around two and a half hours. Secondly, the title song is composed of six intensively atmospheric tracks connected with a few samples from the NASA archives and some dialogues of the different characters as the story slowly unfolds. The samples and dialogues sound incredibly authentic as if you were living the events in a space shuttle and there are no distracting guest musicians or singers requested here. Thirdly, the plot and the atmosphere it builds up are the essence of this release. The music actually serves the story. You get dramatic riffs, pumping bass guitar sounds, vivid drum passages, floating keyboard sounds and spacey guitar melodies. What you don't get are useless distractions such as pretentious chapman stick sounds, endless guitar solos, pointless symphonic bombast, theatrical choirs and unrelated exotic folk sections. Unbeing still plays great music but what matters is the listening experience as a whole. That's why I won't recommend any particular passages.

As I said before, this record is a revolution of progressive music. It's a milestone many people won't have the chance to witness in their lives because Unbeing is an overlooked underground band. Here is your chance to be one of the few to actually get to hear this monolith of majesty. Go on the website of the band, download this album and enjoy. If you like what you hear, spread the word about these unknown geniuses. If you ignore this review however, you will never know what you have missed and believe me that this won't be a wise choice.

Final rating: 99%