siLLy puPPy Known as the Brazilian version of Liquid Tension Experiment, the side project FREAKEYS was an instrumental band formed by members of Angra (Fabio Laguna on keys and Felipe Andreoli on bass) and Hangar (Aquiles Priester on drums and Eduardo Martinez on guitar). This project has so far only yielded one self-titled album that emerged in 2006. Technically this group has never disbanded so it’s not out of the question that a second coming may someday emerge.

Formed in São Paulo, this quartet of musical magicians delivers a set of ten tracks that offer some of the most adept technical wizardry in the vein of not only Liquid Tension Experiment but also features a touch of djentish Animals As Leaders as well as the thrashy / deathened antics of bands like Dysrhythmia however a clue is given in the band name that this is a very keyboard oriented band with Fabio Laguna serving as the director.

Ironically this album was released on the Voice Music label and features ten voiceless tracks of pure instrumental wankery. Graced with an incessant flow of guitar riffage, bass and drum bombast and sped up Keith Emerson keyboard majesty, this energetic delivery of time signature rich tracks is what instrumental prog metal dreams are made of with absolutely no compromise yet never loses track of the emotional connections of strong melodic constructs.

The strength of FREAKEYS is not only the firm command of the technical chops but a brilliant sense of dynamics which allows a diverse procession through not only lightning blitzkrieg soloing sessions but also to bring sensual piano rolls into the mix as well as guitar-free moments where jazzy interludes provide an underpinning of consciousness which is unperceivable beneath the bombastic din of the guitar, bass and drums.

While the power metal energetic drive of both Angra and Hangar is in full effect, the band eschews the easy to classify cliches and instead delivers a hefty mix of progressive metal complexities with the energetic drive of power metal but also infuses some thrash metal chops as well as a bit of melodic death metal to the mix. The keyboard stabs definitely evoke a sense of high energy Dream Theater performances but in the end FREAKEYS employs a more organic progressive rock sound on the keyboards rather than anything typically heard in the context of metal.

This is certainly the product of a tight-knit collective of seasoned musicians who know their craft quite well and integrate the individuals parts into a satisfying amalgamation of excellently executed performances. Not only are the compositions perfectly played without relying too much on the technical chops but are paced perfectly so as to avoid the type of burn out one can experience that these types of super groups more often than not can produce due to the fact they fail to connect with the audience. Very nice this one!