DISSENSION

Interesting debut album by this Texas-based outfit.

The main sound of the band seems to be power metal european style, but with complexities and changes of style and pace that makes prog metal a better description of the music here than power metal. In addition to tunes with complex structures, restrained and melodic vocals, neo-classical guitar soloing and harmony guitar soloing; the last of this seemingly influenced by Iron Maiden; and well thought out use of keyboards to add textures to the songs are central elements of the tunes here. In quite a few tunes slightly unrhythmic riff-patterns is a noticeable element as well.

In style I think this band overall sounds pretty similar to Age of Silence - more complexities in the tunes overall, but style and compositional structures aside this is pretty similar to that band in sound.

Ethereal Architect still lack brilliant songs as I see it, and the production on the album, although adequate as it is, could have been a tad better. Overall a promising debut album from what appears to be a talented band.

ETHEREAL ARCHITECT are a Metal band out of Texas who have a Power-Metal style to their sound. The vocals are not the best in my opinion and I would say they are the weak link. Also i'm not really that much of a Power-Metal fan although there are exceptions.This unfortunately isn't one of them.

"Phrysian" has a good heavy intro then the vocals and that Power-Metal style take over. Contrasts continue. Lots of riffs here. It settles late to end it. "Still Waiting" is heavy to start. Vocals around a minute but they just don't seem to suit the music here. "Slip" opens with gentle guitar as reserved vocals along with drums join in. It kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes then settles back 3 1/2 minutes in before kicking in again. "Thief" hits the ground running then settles when the vocals arrive but it's still heavy. Contrasts continue. A guitar solo 3 1/2 minutes in. Good song.

"Nevermore" turns heavy before 1 1/2 minutes then settles back as contrasts continue. Some ripping guitar before 4 minutes. I like the vocals best on this song. "Driven" has deeper almost spoken vocals and heaviness. It's okay. "Undone" picks up before 1 1/2 minutes as vocals strain to keep up. It settles back. A guitar solo after 3 1/2 minutes. It settles with strummed guitar and reserved vocals to end it. "Choke" has a heavy intro as urgent vocals join in.The guitar lights it up before 2 minutes. "Negative Two-Thirds" kicks in after a minute with vocals. Double bass drumming too. It settles back after 2 minutes as contrasts continue. A calm with vocals after 6 1/2 minutes for less than a minute. Some nice guitar follows.

Barely 3 stars.