It's not everyday you hear female fronted progressive metal from the Netherlands, but the small independent record label Rusty Cage Records is testing new territories with this debut album from FeedForward.

The band release the album independently in the beginning of 2007, and has received many positive reviews (well deserved), which eventually caught the attention of Rusty Cage Records, which lead to the re-release of 'Barefoot & Naked'.

Focus point in the band and the music is vocalist Biejanka, who has a very unique and clear voice that immediately draws your full attention. The arrangements to back her vocal performance are complex and at a high level technical and the playing is done with conviction throughout the entire album.

The album is a good introduction to a young and upcoming band that uses the album to the fullest to showcase their skills as musicians as well as songwriters. I could wish for some diversity in Biejanka's vocal deliverance, almost all the songs are delivered within a very limited range. Not that she does a bad job or is bad singer at all...just take a listen to the ballad "Our Sky (For One Time)". Best moment on the album is the seven minutes plus instrumental "Moving", where the band goes all the way and shows its full potential.

'Barefoot & Naked' is a promising start for FeedForward, and I look forward seeing where they'll take us with their next album.