•
Rating: I confess that if the rating were out of ten, I would have been a bit harsher with this The 1st Chapter, giving it a seven. But I just didn't feel like giving it 3 stars, because I consider this first work by the Norwegian quintet to be more than just sufficient.
I will discuss this record by focusing more on its overall figure than on the evaluation of individual tracks, providing a sort of "buying guide or not."
The genre is prog metal with a Thrash influence, as can be seen from the guitar riffs and the very heavy drums. Let's start with the flaw: The band does not seem to have fully reached its own personality and is heavily influenced by the "sacred monsters" of the genre (Dream Theater, Symphony X, and Threshold above all). But after all, they are only on their first album. Aside from this small issue, the Scandinavians have given birth to a truly interesting and enjoyable album, with rather varied tracks and a decent assortment of different styles: There are heavier songs, others more relaxed, some elegant ballads enriched with strings and winds, an instrumental piece that would be excellent if not for the fact that Dream Theater has been around for quite a while now... (you know "The Dance Of Eternity"?), and an 18-minute "Epic" which turns out, alas, a bit cloying, but overall not bad.
Notably, the opener "Sin" and "Why Am I Here?" are among the brightest moments of the album.
Technically, the five are really not bad at all, both in the execution of the pieces and in the arrangements. The voice has been criticized by some, but personally, even if the style has been heard before, I find it more than good. The solos are beautiful, rather melodic and impactful. A strong point in the composition is indeed the melody of the songs: an excellent mix between the heaviness of metal and melodies that are more than catchy, but rarely trivial, even if, as I have already said, not entirely innovative.
In conclusion, an album I feel like recommending to fans of more straightforward Prog metal, without too many frills. A great album, although not exactly a masterpiece.
The foundations for a great band are all there, I hope (and believe, all in all) that the band will also find a way to distinguish itself a bit more from their predecessors.
Keep it up!
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Sin (05:53)
All my life I have been a drifter
Going down the paths that had no ending
With Satan on my shoulder, I was an angel of the underground
Nothing could ever stop me
You're losing all, Losing all of control
In the end you will fall
Losing all, You're losing all
Your soul... Will it ever be whole?
I am terrified
In the dark there's no light
She's at the end of the line but she wants to live (to live)
He tastes the fear in her eyes
At the end of this night she will be... gone
What you have taken away from me
Can never come back, I cry all night
The memories I've been given, While the futur you have taken
You left me but a picture in a frame (nothing will ever be the same)
Listen son, I'm the one, Can't you see...
I was there all along
The choice you made can't be undone
Now the price you will pay
You'll be electrified
It's the end of your life
Cause tonight the stars will shine, but not for you(feel it)
Feel the power of the light
You're at the end of the road
You're in my world now, my soul to keep
Eternity is a long way to go
In my world now, your soul is mine
you see there's no way out
For eternity
This is where you will be, "Please let me out of here!"
For eternity
I will keep you down here, "Is there no way out?"
"I can't get out, out of here! Is there anybody listening? To me..."
You can't get out, out of here
"I all alone in the dark..."
It's the end of the line, where you'll be ...
07 The Prophecy (06:44)
When there's no love nor hate in this world
When we reach out our hand to someone
...but that someone is not there
I'm all alone in this forsaken world where time stands
...ooh so still
I remember but now it's time for peace
The world ain't no longer
Hello? Can anybody hear me?
It's in the hands of faith
You keep on walking that same dark road
Where there's no end to see
In these ruins you stand all alone
...while you dream about yesterday
There's no turning back once the tides have changed (tides have changed)
The world ain't no longer
It's in the hands of faith
I woke up in the middle of the night
Outside the rain was covered in red
Thunder and lightning covers the sky
I'm all alone in this forsaken place
What have I done to deserve a life like this
Am I the key? Have I unlocked the mystery to life?
Innocence is the secret to reveal the prophecy
A new beginning predicted by the pages in the sand
Innocence is the secret to reveal the prophecy
The soul survivor stands alone to end this misery
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By cleon
The strength of compositions like the opener “Sin,” powerful, dark, modern in sound, between oriental suggestions and pompous openings, stands there testifying to the real value of ours.
The guys all seem very young, hence some naivety; but the quality of their offering is beyond question, good for the aficionado and the newcomer alike!
