In 2013, I took part in the tongue-in-cheek promotional video for ProgPower Europe the following year, and remember promoting Aeon Zen. The irony was that I then couldn’t make that ProgPower so never actually saw the band I’d helped to promote. I’m not going to see them now either as “Transversal” is their self-avowed final album, the culmination of a thirteen year cycle which has included five previous albums and tours with the likes of Devin Townsend.
“Transversal” is a single piece but in 10 parts, so very progressive in concept. It’s actually a journey. There is much emotion and drama, plenty of bombast, and plenty of light and dark. I emphasis light before dark because it’s more “moments in the sun”, to quote a lyric. Don’t get the idea it’s soft though. The pleasure from a listener’s point of view is that one moment we’re in a dream, then the tempo steps up and the soundscape is exciting and dramatic. So, it is as we work from “Twilight” to “A New Day”. Guitars herald the new day to the sound of symphony. As the day progresses, “Chase the Sunrise” dramatic heights are reached vocally and instrumentally. With the keyboard in full flow, it sounds retro but that’s just a passing observation as Aeon Zen go into technically accomplished prog intensity, leading seamlessly into “10,000 Eyes”. Momentarily “Lines Withdrawn” takes us into darker symphonic territory but mixes this with flourishing guitar work before transforming into the dynamic prog speed of “Purgatory Rechristened”. It sounds dark but it’s full of flair and flamboyance. On it continues expansively, achieving drama through emotion, colour and harmony thanks to the sublime vocals and musicianship from the guitarist and keyboard player. It all leads to the rousing and anthemic finale of “Forever”.
This is an album for Symphony X and Dream Theater fans. Prog can be pretentious and overwhelmingly introspective, and I don’t like that, but this isn’t that at all. It’s a delightful listen, and the continuity of the journey kept me engaged throughout. “Transversal” is a fresh and exciting opus, and one which conveyed to me a strong sense of something uplifting and optimistic.
(8/10 Andrew Doherty)
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