In the late 80s, bands started pushing thrash metal to its limits by incorporating elements of jazz, classical, and progressive rock to their sound. Among these bands was Germany’s Mekong Delta. Unlike their teutonic peers who specialized in evil, ripping thrash (Sodom, Kreator, Destruction), Mekong Delta played a frantic style of technical thrash with nods to 70s greats like King Crimson and Mahavishnu Orchestra. Mesmerizing guitars and unorthodox drumming blended with deranged vocals to create a cacophony of chaos.
Unfortunately, Mekong Delta has all but abandoned this style on their latest album, Tales of a Future Past. Instead, we get a safe and predictable brand of modern progressive metal. Now by modern, I don’t mean djent (thank God). Think more along the lines of the last few Queensrÿche albums. The problems on Tales begin with its flat production. On “Mental Entropy” and “The Hollow Men”, the vocals are buried underneath plastic drums and guitars which sound like they were created using GarageBand software. This may have been done in an attempt to sound “modern”, but the end result is soulless.
“A Colony of Liar Men” is a respectable attempt at Dream Theater worship with its whimsical sections sandwiched in between John Petrucci inspired riffs. “Mindeater” is the closest thing to thrash you’ll hear on Tales, but even this is more inspired by the modern thrash scene than the classic 80s sound. Musically, the biggest disappointment is “When All Hope is Gone”. This nearly 10 minute ballad has the intentions of being epic with key changes, strings, and even a computerized choir. However, it continues to build and build and build without ever going anywhere, resulting in a meandering mess.
The highlights of Tales come in the form of four instrumentals, each entitled “Landscape”. “Landscape 1 – Into the Void” sets the stage as the obligatory ominous intro. “Landscape 2 – Wasteland” is a big, atmospheric number with a John Williams inspired orchestral backdrop. “Landscape 3 – Inharent” is filled with catchy, crunchy riffs and loaded with twists and turns. It successfully accomplishes what the following track, “When All Hope is Gone”, set out to do. Finally, there’s “Landscape 4 – Pleasant Ground”, which serves as a happy, upbeat closer to the album.
The hardest aspect of Tales is accepting it as a Mekong Delta album. Bassist Ralf Hubert is the only remaining original member, but that’s always been the case. If you had played this album and told me to guess who it was, I would’ve never guessed Mekong Delta. While I don’t respect a return their late 80s/early 90s glory days, I hope their future efforts are more concentrated and better produced.
5 out of 10
Label: Butler Records
Genre: Progressive Metal
For fans of: Dream Theater, Queensrÿche, Fates Warning