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THE FACE OF THE UNKNOWN

Aeon Zen

Progressive Metal


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Aeon Zen The Face of the Unknown album cover
3.41 | 32 ratings | 4 reviews | 25% 5 stars

Good, but non-essential

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Studio Album, released in 2010

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Salvation (10:31)
2. Visions (3:58)
3. The Heart of the Sun (7:12)
4. Crystal Skies (8:13)
5. Natural Selection (4:49)
6. The Face of the Unknown (7:00)
7. You're Not Alone (5:22)
8. My Sacrifice (5:11)
9. Start Over (4:26)
10. Redemption's Shadow (7:01)

Total Time 63:43

Line-up / Musicians

- Richard Hinks / lead, rhythm & acoustic guitars, keyboards, programming, bass, lead (7-9) & backing vocals, production & mixing

With:
- Michael Eriksen / vocals (1,3)
- Andi Kravljaca / vocals (2,6)
- Nick D'Virgilio / vocals (4)
- Jem Godfrey / vocals (5)
- Jonny Tatum / vocals (8,10)

Releases information

Artwork: Mattias Norén

CD Time Divide Records Ltd. ‎- TDR0610001CD (2010, UK)

Digital album

Thanks to progmetalhead for the addition
and to projeKct for the last updates
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AEON ZEN The Face of the Unknown ratings distribution


3.41
(32 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(25%)
25%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(44%)
44%
Good, but non-essential (22%)
22%
Collectors/fans only (9%)
9%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

AEON ZEN The Face of the Unknown reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars This is the latest from AEON ZEN called "The Face Of The Unknown". I should mention right off the top that AEON ZEN is basically the project of multi-instrumentalist Rich Hinks. He does it all here although he does have many guests helping him out mostly in the vocal department. Rich even does the drumming on this one which he didn't do on the debut. I can't stress enough at how talented this young guy is. He basically notates the music, then records and produces the songs, playing all the instruments and doing some of the vocals. I was blown away by his debut called "A Mind's Portrait". This one doesn't appeal to my tastes in Metal like the debut did. For only being 21 years old this follow-up album is much more mature and I must admit for me that's a step back, only because it's not as in my face and aggressive.

"Salvation" opens with some steller drum work then we get this calm before 1 1/2 minutes with vocals. It starts to build and synths and drums lead after 3 minutes. Some nice bass 4 minutes in. It's rocking pretty good after 5 minutes. Vocals are back before 7 minutes. Great sound to end it. "Visions" features some double bass drumming early as the guitar then vocals join in.The tempo continues to shift. "The Heart Of The Sun" turns heavy a minute in. Vocals before 2 minutes as it settles some. Piano a minute later. Nice guitar solo before 5 minutes. "Crystal Skies" is mellow with vocals (Nick D'Virgilio) and piano as drums join in. It picks up 3 1/2 minutes in with guitar out front. It's heavier with synths a minute later but it's brief.

"Natural Selection" is my favourite. Surprisingly Gem Godfrey is on vocals here. It's heavy to open as vocals join in quickly. Synths before a minute. I really like the sound of this one. Guitar before 2 1/2 minutes takes the spotlight. It turns softer after 3 minutes but thankfully that changes 4 minutes in. "The Face Of The Unknown" opens with piano as drums arrive and it builds. It's heavier after 2 minutes. A calm with vocals as the tempo and mood continues to change. "Your'e Not Alone" opens with piano as these sugary vocals come in. It's fuller 1 1/2 minutes in. A calm after 2 1/2 minutes with mellotron-like sounds.The guitar takes off after 4 minutes. Nice. "My Sacrifice" opens with synths as the heaviness joins in. It settles right down with vocals then kicks back in as it continues to change. "Start Over" opens with piano as soft vocals join in. Some orchestral-like sounds too on this ballad. "Redemption's Shadow" kicks in quickly and the vocals join in before a minute.It's surprising how relaxed the vocals are as the riffs make lots of noise. Good tune.

3.5 stars from me. I still value the debut greatly, but this one just doesn't scratch the itch.

Review by b_olariu
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars Aeon Zen second offer from 2010 named The face oif unknown is another well played and compose prog metal album from this young british band. Some change in personalm here it remains only Rich Hinks who plays at all almost all instruments with a help , again, of a great musicians from prog circles. Very catchy in places pieces like opening track Salvation, nearly 11 min of high class prog metal, Michael Eriksen on vocals from Circus Maximus here, maybe that's why in some parts the overall album sounds little bit with Circus Maximus, same fat sound, catchy riffing moments and melodic vocal arrangements. As a whole a good album for sure, not realy better then predecesor but not weaker either, at same level. I will give 3 stars, maybe 3.5 in some parts, musicianship is great as always. A band to watch in the future , this 2 albums so far worth purchase by any prog metal fans.

Latest members reviews

3 stars The one man project by Rich Hinks is back again for the second album. Rich Hinks is helped out by a lot of guest vocals here, including Nick D'Virgilio (Spock's Beard). The music is middle of the road progressive metal with some traces of AOR and art rock. There are some hard rockers here and s ... (read more)

Report this review (#517049) | Posted by toroddfuglesteg | Thursday, September 8, 2011 | Review Permanlink

4 stars Formed in 2008, Rich Hinks and Lloyd Musto managed to put together an impressive debut in the form of A Mind's Portrait, originally released in the spring of 2009 and re-released as an instrumental version earlier this year. Not long after the release of the album, Musto left to pursue other ... (read more)

Report this review (#375834) | Posted by usa prog music | Friday, January 7, 2011 | Review Permanlink

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