UMUR
"Process" is the second full-length studio album by German thrash/progressive metal act Complex 7. The album was independently released in November 2003. It´s the successor to "Water" from 2001 but the band while working under the Demimonde monicker had already released the "Soliloquy" demo in 1995. Demimonde formed in 1990 and changed their name to Complex 7 in 1999, so these guys are seasoned musicians.
Stylistically the material on "Process" pretty much continues the technical/progressive thrash metal style of "Water". Tempo- and time signature changes, breaks, and technical guitar riffs and rhythms. Lead vocalist Norbert Vornam is probably a bit of an aquired taste. Not so much because of his voice, but more because of his often toneless vocal melodies, which aren´t exactly hook laden. When that is said, I think his vocal melodies are stronger on "Process" than they were on "Water". I still think a comparison to Scott Jeffreys (Confessor) and his high pitched toneless vocals is the most valid reference.
The technical playing and especially the progressive songwriting have been increased since the debut album, and there are some really impressive and complex songwriting on display here and there. A track like "Trust" is for example very intriguing. "Process" features a powerful, detailed, and overall very well sounding production job, and it´s interesting to learn that this is an independent release, considering the high quality of the recording. So in many ways "Process" is an impressive and great sounding release, but while the vocals are well performed (switching between shouting thrash metal style vocals and higher pitched progressive metal vocals), it is the lack of memorable vocal melodies which prevents me from handing out the highest ratings. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is still fully deserved.
