EFFIGY

Hell! What an odd logic! Is there any album which will bring me closer to growls, better than this? Wasn't aware of that outfit from Tacoma beforehand, but fortunately stumbled upon a new effigy recently, which is their 7th piece of art in the meanwhile. They are opening the song collection with the extended title track, and soon, solely after some minutes sinking into this, I already felt certain about the further status. Consequently this took a flying leap forward onto the top of my review list. It's not that those chaps are defining something essentially new here according to the progressive rock genre. The compositions though are really really enchanting, top notch all the way through, sometimes even courageous.

Hereby they are covering the complete range of heavy progressive rock, this mixed-up with some AOR and death metal. The band originally derives from a one-man show, what I know, rocked by Sean Thompson, who after all cares for guitars, keyboards as well as vocals here, additionally being responsible for the compositions. Not sure if there is a concept story behind this? In no case I could find proper information concerning this issue. Anyway, the aforementioned title song is epic for sure. I hear some significant Fates Warning leanings for instance, where Sean's voice comes surprisingly close to Ray Alder at the very start ... but hey, it's all good, and that's not all.

Nearly 18 minutes passing by in a flash, a multi-faceted affair, showing a recipe based on luxary equipment, including nice organ with (early) Genesis glimpses, acoustic guitar, multiple riffs, clever hooklines ... a fantastic kick-off by all means! More straightforward rrrocking in behaviour the shorter Master Of The Moor continues on the same level, partially setting the focus on the organ again. This one should be spreaded all over the world to every broadcast focussing on rock music outside of the mainstream, no question. Mercenary then will let them invade into the death metal territory, though not totally, as for that a hybrid somehow.

Due to The Yearning you won't miss the obligatory charming acoustic ballad, this featuring wonderful vocal performance throughout! Now returning back into the already entered moor paths Witch Runner appears with more AOR sentiment ... until they surprisingly again will open up a new death metal intermezzo. Well, what should I say to this? Wow, an excellent album! Almost perfect if you love heavy progressive rock music with diverse surprises involved. As there is something for every whim. Some spain respectively mexican folk impressions needed? No problem! Sean Thompson and his band mates have achieved great success with 'Effigy'.