After recording two CDs with Seven Witches, Second War In Heaven and City Of Lost Souls, and also working with the independent act Overlorde, Bobby “Leather Lungs” Lucas has appeared with Exhibition on Limb Music/SPV. But Exhibition's origins don't lie within Bobby Lucas; the formation actually began after the progmetal outfit Eternity X from New Jersey disbanded during 1998. The core of Exhibition began with the three members Jeff Shernov (guitar), Jamie Mazur (keyboards) and Jimmy Peruta (drums). And as a sticker, which was stuck to the shrink-wrapping on The Sign Of Tomorrow proclaimed, the goal was to mesh 80s metal (Judas Priest, Ozzy, Iron Maiden) and Prog-Rock/Metal (Dream Theater/Fates Warning/Rush) together into one cohesive unit. Exhibition drafted bass player Brett Rome and already noted Bobby Lucas to complete their line-up and work began. Following a three-song demo (all three songs for the demo are included within in newly mastered versions) Exhibition were given the chance to exhibit their talent here, on this fantastic debut CD.
So what do you get when you stick this in your CD player? There is nothing other than enormously technical power metal with some progressive tinges thanks to Jamie on the keyboards. But the pyramid holding Exhibition together – making their music strong – contains the following sides. Side one is the invigorating guitar leads, clearly Iron Maiden influenced at times, but the styles often changes to a melodic yet crunching style (the Fates Warning influence) as evident on 'Strange Reality'. Number two the strong vocals from Bobby which still have his “Leather Lung” elements, but they are also very melodic at times. He has actually improved his vocal technique over what I heard in Seven Witches (note – I've never heard the second Seven Witches CD City Of Lost Souls at this point). And the third side consists of the solid rhythm section, fluent drums and hammering bass.
Track after track, Exhibition creates songs with original and insightful lyrics. The only uninspired lyrical work comes from 'Wings Of The Dragon' which is only salvaged by the interesting keyboard intro and the quality band performance. But one uninspired clash with dragons and fire doesn't basket an otherwise astronomical release. The progressive elements really keep the otherwise heavily power metal influenced style refreshed, and musically you couldn't find a better band for Bobby Lucas. I even find this CD more captivating than the current release from Seven Witches with ex-Helstar and Destiny's End vocalist James Rivera. Even the nine minute (+) 'Voices In The Night' comes across with force, and it never sounds boringly drawn-out. The Sign Of Tomorrow competes with other recent prog/power metal recordings such as Onward's Reawaken (Century Media) and Iron Maiden's Brave New World with ease.
http://www.exhibitionproject.com/
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