By Mike Maher 
Spheric Universe Experience is a progressive/technical metal band from France. Anima is their second release, following up 2006’s acclaimed Mental Torments. The band actually released a promo album, The Burning Box, showcasing the same material as that on Mental Torments. That promo album got S.U.E. signed to Intromental Management in 2003, but I won’t call that a separate album. I forget where I first heard this band but I can tell you that Mental Torments’ “Echoes of the Stars” was one of my favorite songs of 2006 and remains so to this day. Anima was released in May 2007 in the United States, a few months after the band signed with Sensory Records. The band has played numerous shows in France and recently opened for Uli Jon Roth and the Scorpions. They are scheduled to play the first ProgPower Scandinavia festival in October 2007.
Anima has 11 tracks of great music, and the band seem to have moved in a slightly heavier direction on this album. Guitarist Vince Benaim and keyboardist Fred Colombo work in unison to create a melodic and heavy mood. I also need to point out Colombo’s shining spot on the album, the instrumental track “Stormy Dome.” It’s outstanding. Vocalist Franck Garcia does a great job and really puts a unique stamp on the band’s sound. As an above average progressive metal band, you can compare them to Dream Theater, Symphony X, or Vanden Plas. On the technical side they remind me a bit of Zero Hour. Thankfully, the S.U.E. keep it fresh, stay out of the repetitive ruts and avoid cramming 10,000 notes into 8 seconds of song.
People who enjoy progressive metal and technical metal will enjoy this album. It’s a great follow-up and, while it showcases a heavier aspect of the band, they lose little in the translation from the softer Mental Torments. It’s solid stuff and if you are on the fence, I urge you to take it for a spin or two.
Recommended tracks:
Stormy Dome (instrumental)
Septic
Questions
The Key
Black Materia (instrumental)
For more info, go to: http://www.sphericuniversexp.com