Reviews

...Now for the music. Although I cannot speak one word of French I always have loved JP in Nemo. So as soon as I got the chance to do a review of Wolfspring, JP’s new effort, I jumped in, ready and willing as they say. From interviews I had read I knew that the music was supposed to be more, heavy progressive. Well there's no doubt about that - where moody, melodramatic and melancholic is the overall feel on the Nemo albums, here it retains moody but with darker tone and with an almost Eastern European sound. I can also hear influences of German bands like RPWL for instance. This is most evident in the longer stretches of guitar soloing...
www.dprp.net/reviews/201057.php#wolfspring

To me this record is very special in many different ways. I remember the rehersal that I saw when the band was formed and I am glad to say that through the persistence and hard work of the musicians they have created something completely different from what I saw in that rehersal room, or should I say rehersal cellar!! There's been a stunning increase in the quality of the music and also the players particularly the keyboard player and lead singer that now I'm glad to say fit in perfectly with the vision of the drummer of this project. At one time he (the drummer) was the only one to believe in this band but now with this fabulous debut you will achieve your goals in music.
www.progarchives.com/Review.asp?id=303574

Dutch review
www.progwereld.org/cd-recensies/chinesefiredrill.htm

Turkish review
www.rockarea.eu/readarticle.php?article_id=216

French review
www.progressive-area.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=584&Itemid=2

Portugese review
progbrasil.com.br/ExibeResenhas.php?eID=997

Italian review
www.kronic.it/artGet.aspx?aID=2&sID=16084

...The overall result of this fusion of goth, progressive metal and symphonic classical (romantic and modern periods) music, with intelligent lyrics in an allegorical science-fiction concept, is a complex assault on the senses that occasionally does not make for easy listening, is often demanding of attention and needs patient familiarisation, whereas at other times one can lose oneself in its melodic beauty or catchy rhythm and refrains. For instance, contrast the whacky cut-up, but effective, loops of Chaotic Order with the glorious melodic, symphonic start to Slow Motion World, before that composition then develops into its own chaotic bridge. It’s glorious, but can easily be missed on a background listen. Luckily, Flores has worked the balance to perfection, resulting in an album that has enough hooks and interest to make you come back for those crucial extra listens. In conclusion, A Strange Utopia is a worthy and very progressive fusion that deserves to be heard – recommended!
www.dprp.net/reviews/201003.php#fod

...The opening moments for "Automatic Fantasy" is a fine testament to the progressive nature of A Chinese Firedrill. They use elements that are not particularly pleasing to listen to, yet present them in an enjoyable and harmonic manner. The music further introduces influences even beyond your above-average progressive rock, acoustic, and heavy sounds. At times, there is funk-influenced material, while at others there are tribal drums with discordant acoustic guitar chords. With the many diverse effects thrown in to the mix, the sound environment is truly immersive...
www.maelstrom.nu/ezine/review_iss62_4660.php

Spanish review
manticornio.com/rock-progresivo/A/A-CHINESE-FIREDRILL/a-chinese-firedrill.html

...Vera is a talented performer and producer, and “Circles” proves that he's a very talented songwriter too. All tunes are coherent, even when exploring multitudes of styles. The songs move effortless between the different styles explored, and each individual song as well as the album as a whole has a distinct, individual sound. Overall this comes across as a very strong release - but perhaps with a slightly limited appeal. Personally I'd recommend this album to people into OSI in general, and fans of their second release Free in particular, but fans of slightly experimental progressive rock and metal might also find this album intriguing.
usaprogmusic.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_simple_review&Itemid=28&review=109-A-Chinese-Firedrill--circles

French review
www.metalchroniques.fr/guppy/articles.php?lng=fr&pg=1880

...It is undoubtedly something different from what most might have expected from Vera, but nevertheless, A Chinese Firedrill follows the path of a lot of his most ‘different’ musical endeavors (OSI, Chroma Key) rather than his thrash metal material. Circles is a record that certainly comes from a personal standpoint, not cloning his past, creating a musical approach that comes from the heart of the artist himself, and what else would we would have wanted anyways.
www.ytsejam.com/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=1072

...While this one could go by mostly unnoticed by the majority of the prog rock community, it is a really good album and I found it to be a really pleasant surprise. A Chinese Firedrill is a far cry from the heavy sounds of Armored Saint but it proves that Joey Vera is a versatile artist with a style all his own.
www.progressiveears.com/asp/reviews.asp?albumID=3730

Portugese review
fenixwebzine.blogspot.com/2007/12/chinese-firedrill-circles-2007-progrock.html

German review
www.ragazzi-music.de/achinesefiredrill.html

...Certainly there are some late era Fates Warning moments present, which totted up with the yet more Dream Theater elements come up to a mild O.S.I.-ish blend, but for the most part "Circles" is characterized by a modernized progressive "hard" rock air with an disposition towards melancholy that a Chroma Key, Marillion, Led Zeppelin or even Pink Floyd fan would find it hard to resist, while at the same time a Porcupine Tree or even Anathema adorer would think of is as somewhat worthwhile. Joey Vera is entirely responsible for the compositions and orchestration (including the vocals!!!) of these 7 tracks, helped only on the drums by Greg Studgio while there are some scratching (as he calls them) parts performed by a guy named DJ Ben. Same goes for the production, all credits goes to Mr. Vera for an exceptional outcome...
www.metalperspective.com/reviews/chinese_firedrill.php

German review
www.heavy-metal.de/?id=11281

German review
www.obliveon.de/pn-om/modules.php?op=modload&name=cdreviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=10932

Italian review
www.hardsounds.it/PUBLIC/recensione.php?id=3897

German review
www.mstos.de/index.php?sec=reviews&sub=disc&op=show&id=630

Interview with Joey (German)
www.derwesten.de/blogs/gerockt/stories/1123

French review
www.musicwaves.fr/frmChronique.aspx?PRO_ID=2836

...Each of the 13 tracks,including two major instrumentals,stand alone; they are snapshots of the epic story, with connective prose. This Project—Novel and CD written by the same autor—is a unique musical experience. Read the Novel, Listen tot the Music. One thing comes in mind and one thing ONLY- H.G. Wells - Jeff Wayne’s "War of the Worlds". This is a magnificiant Record/Book and you Should all get your hands on a copy and be amazed..
www.proggnosis.com/PGRelease.asp?RID=28236

Joey Vera has been involved in a great number of prog related hi-profile projects (go to the band's page on ProGGnosis for a list). A Chinese Firedrill is his new solo project, and even though it is somewhat different from his other ventures, it shares with them a high quality of music. The songs on Circles are in the range of what bands like Porcupine Tree, Rush and Pink Floyd have been offering us through the years, but Circles is a highly original piece of work that can only be slightly related to other albums. I think that people interested in modern sounding, slightly heavy, original Prog should check this album out. Circles is a very enjoyable cd that should please fans of that genre. Check the music samples accessible on this page.
www.proggnosis.com/MUSIC_DBCDInfo.asp?txtCDID=21840

French review
www.musicinbelgium.net/pl/modules.php?name=Reviews&rop=showcontent&id=2398

...Right off the top let me say I was really taken by this record. Stylistically it’s kind of like something from Porcupine Tree. Each of the seven compositions tends to be quite complex in terms of all the moving parts. A song will start with a beautiful acoustic riff before suddenly sliding into a real crunchy heavy distorted guitar riff and then there might be a melodic chorus or two before shifting into some lush keyboard orchestration. The tone is mostly upbeat with a hint of melancholy. Kind of a “sweet & sour” effect that never wears out it’s welcome. Four of the songs are about seven minutes long with a couple shorter ones and then the longest at just over nine-minutes. Vera’s vocals are really good. There’s no straining, no screaming, he doesn’t force it at all, to my ear it’s more along the lines of David Gilmour’s Pink Floyd style. What I like about that is that you can actually understand the message. Throughout the disc there are plenty of softer moments with just electric piano, or guitar which provides a perfect introduction to a grand, epic section of the song before some synths or sound effects move the piece in yet another direction. Nothing is overdone, you get a taste and then the song moves on. What’s more each of these songs contains multiple melodies that stick with you for days...
www.jerrylucky.com/reviews%20a-e_014.htm

German review
www.derwesten.de/blogs/gerockt/stories/839

Italian review
www.unprogged.com/showthread.php?t=2846