When "paying respect" to your influence as a musician stops and rip-off starts? We had a similar Facebook convo about VOLBEAT with Elina and Yiannis (you don't expect me to put your names in bold, right?) and I have to admit that saying "it's a rip-off" is a bit harsh. Hailing from Italy, ODD DIMENSION can easily fall into the same category (or trap) as a band. Their debut album "Symmetrical" might be an honest answer to the question above or -more importantly- when your love for the music sets your creative mind free from the binds of those you admire and grow up listening to...

Speaking of odd, here is an odd fact for you. ODD DIMENSION has been active since 2001 but "Symmetrical" is their first full release; if anything that proves dedication from their part. Being labeled as a progressive metal  band, one can easily say that you can expect something sounding like FATES WARNING or DREAM THEATER. The latter influence is way too obvious on the first track of the album "Farewell To The Stars", which isn't all bad but hey, been there done that. Still, the song writing is good but the vocals -and in some cases the lyrics too- are dragging the songs down into mediocracy. You need to really try to find moments in this album that have lyrics and be memorable.

Their venture to more AOR paths, with the organ-like synths and the rock attitude is a more than welcome change but there is something missing. Seems like they are trying to blend too many different aspects in their music without having a plan on how to do it. Songs like "Rising Through Light" and "I'll Be Back Once More" are clearly a homage to the old progressive sounds of the  but the vocals ruins everything. The musicianship is really good in almost every song, especially when they are trying more "difficult" tunes in the likes of "The Ecstasy Of Hopes" and "Light Speed Journey". The latter is, in my opinion, the best song of the album and that is -with the risk of being "labeled" as "mean and prejudiced moron" - probably because the vocals starts halfway in!

"Symmetrical" suffers from its own ambition. ODD DIMENSION really tried to make a record that sounds fresh without rejecting their roots but they got "afraid" somehow in the end. You can tell when you actually thinking "oh wait that's way too DREAM THEATER" or "Too DEEP PURPLE for me". The album is really far from bad, especially if you take in mind that's their debut but (yeah there is "always" a but) it falls short. It falls short because there are two-three songs that are really good -in terms of music- but nothing more than that. There is much potential in the band but frankly you can skip "Symmetrical" and check on them on their sophomore album. Let's hope in less than ten years this time!