Here's another high-quality band from Sweden. So far they have only released a demo CDR with 4 songs, and that's a pity because they sound very professional and could easily be signed to LIMB or INSIDE OUT. Musically AMETHYST is playing progressive metal like a mix between THRESHOLD, EVERGREY and HAMMERFALL. The 4 songs on the demo CDR they sent show that these guys can really make high quality music. Opener "Unmasked vision" is a great progressive metal tune that reminds me of THRESHOLD.

Up next is "Reaching skies", a great semi ballad with some very melodic chorus lines and a sound like EVERGREY. The faster progressive metal song "Winternight" follows and is similar to HAMMERFALL. The CDR closes with the instrumental "Beyond the horizon". All in all, this progressive metal band is definitely a recommendation to anyone who is always checking out the LIMB and INSIDE OUT releases. Let's hope AMETHYST will release a full-length CD in the near future

Rating: 8/10 (Review by Gabor Kleinbloesem)

http://www.geocities.com/struttermag/NEWREVIEWS90.htm

AMETHYST (by Ronny Elst)
Reaching Skies
This melodic/progressive metal band hails from the Northern parts of Sweden. Oskar (vocals), Daniel (drums), Kristian (rthytm guitars) and Johannes (lead guitars) have been playing together since 4 years. Peter (keyboards) joined them only this summer. Their 4 songs on this demo-cd were recorded during different evenings between late 1999 and early 2000.The first song “Unmasked Vision” is a typical technical progressive metal song, with great keyboard/ guitar performances. ”Reaching Skies” is a semi-ballad, with a beautiful melodic chorus and once again excellent musicianship. Next follows “Winternight” which is more a melodic (power) metal song, in the style of Nostradameus for example, but still with progressive influences. The final song “Beyond The Horizon” is an instrumental composition which showcases again the brilliant handling of the members their instruments. With “Reaching Skies” Amethyst prove that they are ready to be signed by a big label like Inside Out or Angular Records. (8,5)

http://members.lycos.nl/spincity/a.html