The Classic Metal Album Reviews:

	Title: Dimensions Artist: Believer Label: R.E.X. Music Release Date: 1993 Rating: 5 Skulls
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Reviewed by Solomon:
Since the metal world isn't the most "Jesus-friendly" territory on the planet, Christian bands don't always get a fair shake. Contrary to what many may think, some Christian bands produce quality material that can stand up to their non-religious counterparts. There are a few church-going groups whose names pop up in the secular arena now and again including, among others, Living Sacrifice, Tourniquet, and Believer. Dimensions was Believer's third and last record before the guys broke up and went their separate ways, and it is a shining example of thrash metal done with a 90's twist. This is "progressive" thrash, if you will, and the album brought together elements new and old that was truly unique for its time.
The first half of the record may bring to mind the advanced playing of Metallica's ...And Justice For All, or, maybe a preschool version of Cynic. Dimensions doesn't match the mental insanity of Focus, but it has enough rhythmic fluctuations and harmonic dissonances to keep things interesting. Discordance is almost mandatory in thrash/speed metal, but Believer does it in a way that separates them stylistically from the Slayers, Megadeths, and Testaments of the world. This quirky approach to songwriting makes Dimensions a little difficult to absorb and appreciate, but there is more "accessible" material, like the acoustic textures and gorgeous guitar harmony in "Dimentia" and the crunchy groove of "No Apology."
The final portion of Dimensions is where the real kicker lies: the "Trilogy of Knowledge," a four-part, "symphonic" piece with soprano vocals and authenic strings. REAL classical instruments, electrified, but still the real deal, baby, not just keyboard fakery. Celtic Frost's Into the Pandemonium is the rightful precursor to this, but how many metal bands were experimenting with orchestral shadings in 1993? After a creepy intro, "The Lie" breaks out into a killer guitar/string duet that lets you know you're in for something special. The second movement, "The Truth," has a classical melody punctuated by power chording half-way through the track which will absolutely turn your heart to goo.
Top this all off with some pretty heady lyrics drawn from the Bible and various extracurricular philosophical sources and you have yourself a fine listen. If the "Christian" label doesn't scare you, you owe it to yourself to give this one a spin or two.

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