SPACE ETERNAL VOID

I can't believe i've never heard of this band until recently. Actually it was b olariu's review that drew my attention to them. I'm such a big fan of American Metal, I didn't think there would be an album as amazing as this get by me. They just released one record (1998), recorded and mixed in Texas. This is melodic, yet at the same time it has plenty of complexity and heaviness. The synths are really a highlight on this record, while the vocals simply shine throughout.

"Prelude" opens with synths and a spacey atmosphere. Thunderous drums change that after a minute. Guitar comes in ripping it up. Spacey to end it. "Amulet Of The Sun" features some fantastic riffs and background synths. Great sound ! Vocals after a minute. Guitar solo 3 1/2 minutes in. The synths add so much to this music. It ends as it began. "Wyrm" has a complex intro followed by a driving rhythm. Synths wash in then vocals. Check out the guitar 3 minutes in ! "Endless Cosmos" is the closest they come to a ballad. This is gorgeous and emotional music. They contrast the ballad-like sections with the fuller passages very well. Tasteful guitar solo 4 minutes in. The vocals are perfect in this tune. "Shadows Fall" builds to a nice heavy sound. Check out the organ. I like the drum/synth melody after 2 1/2 minutes. "Lost In The Void" has such a cool atmosphere to it. The vocals are dreamy. Heaviness comes in at 1 1/2 minutes and the contrast continues.

"Sad Clown In Europe" features some blistering, complex guitar with a good beat. "The Slow Prisoners" has these psychedelic vocals that get blown away before 1 1/2 minutes by a heavy onslaught. This sounds amazing ! Not a big fan of the deeper vocal style that follows though. It's different. Nice guitar after 3 minutes. "Nemesis" opens with pounding drums as synths come in. Vocals a minute in. Ripping guitar after 3 minutes. "Darkness Planet Earth" has a nice heavy sound and is quite dark. More great guitar before 3 minutes. Good song. "Guenhwyvar" is one of my favs. Check out the bass and guitar on this one ! Incredible sounding instrumental ! "Empire Of Dolls" is heavy with synths to open. The tempo picks up quickly. Vocals are at their best on this track. Like some of the other songs this makes me feel so good. "Finale" is just over a minute of guitar and synths.

This is a band that Metal fans need to discover. It's not a 5 star record but it's easily 4 stars.