Well, Proggnosis webmaster and prog connoisseur Doug has voted this album as best progressive album of the year 2012, and I can easily understand why and even relate to that.

The reasons are not difficult to find when listening to Utopia, the absolute killer debut by Israeli based band Distorted Harmony: the playing is beyond flawless, it is stellar. The guitars can be as easily sensitive and melodic as intricate and heavy (from mellow prog to heavily distorted and even with occasional djent techniques); the rhythm section is breathtaking; the keyboards are rich, diverse and add profoundity, meaning and fantasy; and the vocals simply fit perfectly in the whole musicality of the band.

What most surprises in this album is the sheer lively mood that transpires from the playing, as well as the maturity and focus coming from a band that is releasing its first album. When listening to the band it simply becomes evident that there is talent abound coming from all band members. This is then complemented by the fact that the band has lots of ideas and is not afraid to put them to practice. The complex arrangements and intricate pure progressive methods are well put to practice, transforming an album that has heavily distorted guitars and that can be really heavy in some points, in something that is unarguably progressive…and more progressive than most symphonic prog albums that were released in the last years.
Being such a competent and refreshing band, Distorted Harmony have chosen the path of originality, copying no one and harvesting a style of their own, though the symphonic layers and overall style can sometimes relate to Soul Enema , Uncreated Light or Anima Mundi (if you take out the metal parts).

In the end, this is one of those albums that may pass unnoticed by most, but those that are lucky enough to discover it and give it a few spins, will certainly have a new band to cherish, follow and be awed at. Essential!