Review by Walter Haentjens for Prog-Nose (translated from Dutch)

CryoGenesis,  the first album of the IXION project (by Jankees Braam) tells a tale concerning an incurable ill woman, who decides to freeze herself alive hoping for better times.  500 years later she is revived and cured. But the social- and mental problems are not solved. On the contrary. Her state of mind during the different stages and processes was put on this (concept) CD by some fine musicians.

That there is a close resemblance to Knight Area becomes clear after the first minute.  The ouverture to "The Gamble" starts with imminent mysterious pianosounds, it is also the longest song.  Between some heavy theme's the tale is told. Until there everything goes spotlessly, instrumental, diverse and intriguing.  Halfway through the track however the vocals start to spoil the image a little.  Fortunatly not to much, but the female-singer keeps balancing on the edge of 'uncertainty'.  "Into the cold" contributes to this feeling even more, but changes rapidly into a Kayak/Chess like rockmusical-recitativo.  Again here the vocals are not entirly steady. The fading heart-beat at the end is also the introduction to "The Mold".   The male singers seem to better fit this song, especially the second voice in this song is very strong and appropriate. For a moment I recognise the style of 'War of the worlds' by Jeff Wayne.  Here everything seems to have found its proper place. Also the seamless passage to "Rebirth", where you do experience the shock of being born again, but where the melodies seem to loose strength towards the end of the song. 

The Dream has a strong opening and is one of the better songs. A small word of criticisme again on the - too expressly present - unsteady vocals.  Also "Syndrome" has some interesting riff's with alternativly heavy and gentle passages. In "The Wake" I am desperate for instrumental passages: the vocals have reached my satiety point.  With "To choose again" the project starts to win credibility and "The sleep" is a worthy ending, full of heavy drama.

Summarizing I think Cryogenesis sufferes from the fact that in the past few months a fair number of "Number One Cd's" were released. The project could not convince me for the full 100 %.  In my opinion it misses a wider spread of muscial ideas and identity. A number of styles are touched upon, but not explored. The depth of gothic for one. The bombast of symfo rock to name another.  But that's a personal preference of course.

However, I am looking forward to the second project "Talisman", that is currently under construction.

Rating: 7/10