National CD Reviews
Issue 231 / March 2008 More from this Issue
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Across Five Aprils
Life Underwater
Victory Records
Street: 02.19
AFA = Shutdown + Death By Stereo
After listening to the first track on AFA’s latest record and first release for Victory, I was sold on their blistering brand of hardcore. Brandon Mullins’ vocals are very reminiscent of the NYC band Shutdown (R.I.P.), one of my youth hardcore faves. Not to mention their breakdowns and energy outbursts are original and when coupled with their group gang vocals, they seemed to be a new fave. Then they sang. In today’s world of singing and screaming, there’s only a few bands anymore that aren’t generic trash. Though it was a let-down, their "singing" wasn’t really close to other outfits of this sort and is more like Death By Stereo’s melodic vocals. In the end, I was able to look past it and relish in the face-pounding guitars and drums and throat-ripping vocals instead, although tracks like "In Photographs" and "My Sins Stacked to Heaven" bring the album down. –Jeremy C. Wilkins
Ancestors
Neptune With Fire
North Atlantic Sound
Street: 02.19
Ancestors = Black Sabbath + Pink Floyd
Take a culmination of doom and progressive rock to new heights and you have Ancestors’ debut album, Neptune With Fire. There is a wonder and mystique to this two-song concept record that I haven’t come across in quite some time. When you have long songs instead of just short ones, it can be hard to capture one’s attention. Well, such is not the case at all with Ancestors. The playing is varied to the fullest extent of the word. Themes are played out with anticipation and subtle beauty. You never really know all of what to expect when hearing a brand new artist and it’s refreshing to hear something genuinely new. The thought that went into recording this epic astounds me; the transitions are not forced, the direction of the songs flows so naturally; as subtly as floating down a river. There are thick, thunderous guitars here coupled with a jam attitude in portions and some mellow "Planet Caravan"-style grooves. Once you commit to listening to the two very lengthy songs on Neptune With Fire, there is no going back; the record has that genius quality that says you’re done listening when the album is over. –Bryer Wharton
Antietam
Opus Mixtum
Carrot Top Records
Street: 02.08
Antietam = Joy Division + Burma
This record is neither totally horrible nor really great—kind of like purgatory (which, for some, may actually be worse than hell). I could proceed to describe this music with some really creative and ambiguous statements like, "Key surfs dark waves of rolling rhythm with her guitar," (Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune) or "Tara Key is the feeling person’s guitar hero–capable of tearing fist-sized chunks from your soul with every ecstatic rush of notes," (David Sprague, Village Voice)—but phrases like these run the risk of romanticizing the unspectacular. My fancy, all-encompassing music-critic statement for Antietam’s album reads as follows: "Opus Mixtum is like plain toast." –Makena Walsh
The Arcane Order
In The Wake of Collisions
Metal Blade
Street: (Digital release only) 02.05
The Arcane Order = Darkane + Soilwork + Mors Principium Est
You won’t be able to find this album in store—why? Because it is a digital-only release, which means fans and interested parties alike will have to download the album. Interesting enough … no liner notes, lyrics, etc., well, that is, with the package I downloaded. As for the tunes of The Arcane Order, it is mostly melodic death metal with a big thrash vibe. Keyboards add a little atmosphere. But as far as melodic death metal goes, this treads a thin line between that and death metal. When you are in its fast moments with thickened guitars and no keys, it could be considered death metal complete with growls. The album reminds me a lot of early Darkane. There are some good melodies put forth here; fans of the genre would probably enjoy it. Nonetheless, as far as the songs go, the album takes the middle ground—nothing is out there experimentation-wise, but everything is precise and well played. –Bryer Wharton
Avantasia
The Scarecrow
Nuclear Blast
Street: 02.05
Avantasia = Edguy + Masterplan + Helloween
Avantasia could be considered a side band of Edguy main man Tobias Sammet. Apparently the man has been busy with said band since 2002, because Avantasia has been in a period of slumber since then. The Scarecrow quite honestly puts the last Edguy record to shame. The real strength of this mostly-power metal album is its diversity in songs. For only listing three members as part of the actual band, there is a wide variety of sound intermingled with this power metal, catchy keys and a vocalist that uses his large range to the utmost capability. Quite honestly, you don’t have to be into power metal to appreciate the work and inspiration that went into this record. Of course, it helps the album a great deal to have a massive enlistment of guests, including Amanda Somerville (Aina), Jorn Lande (Masterplan), Alice Cooper and Michael Kiske (Helloween). Also enlisted in the band’s ranks is former Kiss and current drummer for Alice Cooper’s band Eric Singer. Please, all you power-metal outfits out there, top this album, I dare you! –Bryer Wharton
Life Underwater
Victory Records
Street: 02.19
AFA = Shutdown + Death By Stereo
After listening to the first track on AFA’s latest record and first release for Victory, I was sold on their blistering brand of hardcore. Brandon Mullins’ vocals are very reminiscent of the NYC band Shutdown (R.I.P.), one of my youth hardcore faves. Not to mention their breakdowns and energy outbursts are original and when coupled with their group gang vocals, they seemed to be a new fave. Then they sang. In today’s world of singing and screaming, there’s only a few bands anymore that aren’t generic trash. Though it was a let-down, their "singing" wasn’t really close to other outfits of this sort and is more like Death By Stereo’s melodic vocals. In the end, I was able to look past it and relish in the face-pounding guitars and drums and throat-ripping vocals instead, although tracks like "In Photographs" and "My Sins Stacked to Heaven" bring the album down. –Jeremy C. Wilkins
Ancestors
Neptune With Fire
North Atlantic Sound
Street: 02.19
Ancestors = Black Sabbath + Pink Floyd
Take a culmination of doom and progressive rock to new heights and you have Ancestors’ debut album, Neptune With Fire. There is a wonder and mystique to this two-song concept record that I haven’t come across in quite some time. When you have long songs instead of just short ones, it can be hard to capture one’s attention. Well, such is not the case at all with Ancestors. The playing is varied to the fullest extent of the word. Themes are played out with anticipation and subtle beauty. You never really know all of what to expect when hearing a brand new artist and it’s refreshing to hear something genuinely new. The thought that went into recording this epic astounds me; the transitions are not forced, the direction of the songs flows so naturally; as subtly as floating down a river. There are thick, thunderous guitars here coupled with a jam attitude in portions and some mellow "Planet Caravan"-style grooves. Once you commit to listening to the two very lengthy songs on Neptune With Fire, there is no going back; the record has that genius quality that says you’re done listening when the album is over. –Bryer Wharton
Antietam
Opus Mixtum
Carrot Top Records
Street: 02.08
Antietam = Joy Division + Burma
This record is neither totally horrible nor really great—kind of like purgatory (which, for some, may actually be worse than hell). I could proceed to describe this music with some really creative and ambiguous statements like, "Key surfs dark waves of rolling rhythm with her guitar," (Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune) or "Tara Key is the feeling person’s guitar hero–capable of tearing fist-sized chunks from your soul with every ecstatic rush of notes," (David Sprague, Village Voice)—but phrases like these run the risk of romanticizing the unspectacular. My fancy, all-encompassing music-critic statement for Antietam’s album reads as follows: "Opus Mixtum is like plain toast." –Makena Walsh
The Arcane Order
In The Wake of Collisions
Metal Blade
Street: (Digital release only) 02.05
The Arcane Order = Darkane + Soilwork + Mors Principium Est
You won’t be able to find this album in store—why? Because it is a digital-only release, which means fans and interested parties alike will have to download the album. Interesting enough … no liner notes, lyrics, etc., well, that is, with the package I downloaded. As for the tunes of The Arcane Order, it is mostly melodic death metal with a big thrash vibe. Keyboards add a little atmosphere. But as far as melodic death metal goes, this treads a thin line between that and death metal. When you are in its fast moments with thickened guitars and no keys, it could be considered death metal complete with growls. The album reminds me a lot of early Darkane. There are some good melodies put forth here; fans of the genre would probably enjoy it. Nonetheless, as far as the songs go, the album takes the middle ground—nothing is out there experimentation-wise, but everything is precise and well played. –Bryer Wharton
Avantasia
The Scarecrow
Nuclear Blast
Street: 02.05
Avantasia = Edguy + Masterplan + Helloween
Avantasia could be considered a side band of Edguy main man Tobias Sammet. Apparently the man has been busy with said band since 2002, because Avantasia has been in a period of slumber since then. The Scarecrow quite honestly puts the last Edguy record to shame. The real strength of this mostly-power metal album is its diversity in songs. For only listing three members as part of the actual band, there is a wide variety of sound intermingled with this power metal, catchy keys and a vocalist that uses his large range to the utmost capability. Quite honestly, you don’t have to be into power metal to appreciate the work and inspiration that went into this record. Of course, it helps the album a great deal to have a massive enlistment of guests, including Amanda Somerville (Aina), Jorn Lande (Masterplan), Alice Cooper and Michael Kiske (Helloween). Also enlisted in the band’s ranks is former Kiss and current drummer for Alice Cooper’s band Eric Singer. Please, all you power-metal outfits out there, top this album, I dare you! –Bryer Wharton
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