In the realms of Progressive Power Metal, Eternity’s End are immediately interesting from a musical point of view, as well for their current and past members. The band’s core contains three members of Progressive Death Metal band Alkaloid for one, which means a chance of a different musical approach, but their ranks also used to include well renowned Symphony X bassist Mike LePond alongside the equally highly respected vocal talents of Ian Parry (ex-Elegy etc). So now with a stable touring line-up in place, fronted by the excellent voice of Iuri Sanson, the band have actually managed to ramp it up another gear!
Progressive Power Metal is a generalisation really, as there is plenty of technicality in Eternity’s End’s sound and it’s all driven by a fabulously energetic Speed Metal attitude with lightning guitar-work. There are no direct comparisons, because the band take the Progressive guitar wizardry of say Symphony X and earlier Stratovarius, blend in a bit of Labyrinth or Pagan’s Mind. but then play it all with more pace, energy and vigour – reminiscent of some of the late 80’s guitar driven Speed Metallers like Apocrypha or Racer X, but with the luxury of all the Prog/Power that Europe has had to offer in the last 30 years giving it an up to date gloss and direction. At times there are hints of Into Eternity in their music, so maybe that’s Eternity’s End’s Progressive Death Metal alter ego bringing a little more aggression to the delivery, but who knows – there’s just as much Blind Guardian in there too! Oh and just to cap it all off, they also introduce a stack of memorable vocal lines, hooks and choruses to balance out the shredding twin guitar lead assault.
The band really show how it should be done – it really has everything you could want if you like your Prog/Power Metal technical and fast. There are Neoclassical elements, but never cheesy or overblown. There is Progressive Metal, but never too self-indulgent or overbearing. There are memorable choruses but not overly melodic or annoying. There is dazzling lead-work at every turn, but never too invasive or detracting from the song arrangement. The balance always seems to be right…well it does for me anyway! The energy throughout is relentless and the album seems to be over in the blink of an eye. Always a good thing because you get to play the whole thing again! This new line-up have totally nailed the band’s sound completely, better and stronger than ever.
(9/10 Andy Barker)
Leave a Reply