AUSPEX

Progressive metal with female vocal? You might connect it with Nightwish or Epica or Lana Lane? Well, in a way the style is like a blend of Rhapsody of Fire and Nightwish, I would say. In fact when I listened to the opening track or intro part of the album "Subjective Architecture" (1:16) I could not relate the music is something metal at all. But of course the next tracks are the progressive metal scene with demonstrating more of guitar solo rather than heavy riffs. My impression of Auspex music is very good ion terms of composition, blending the nice balance of melody, power and harmony. If this album is produced in a better way, I believe the album is an excellent one. Yeah, production is the main issue with this debut album of the band. The rest, I like it very much. There are excellent combination of keyboard and guitar solo all over the tracks in the album with some combination of musical riffs and choirs.

From the second track "Time to Make a Stand" (6:07) you will hear a nice flow of melody in metal music style with female vocal backed with nice blend of musical instruments that generate good composition. It continuous seamlessly with "Theater of Pain" (6:17) in a heavier style with choirs that remind me to Rhapsody of Fire. The keyboard work is symphonic in nature and I love the guitar solo or filss that remind me to, in a way, the work of Luca Turili of Rhapsody of Fire. It enriches the experience really because I usually have this with male vocal and now with female. It continues nicely with "Lost Academy" (5:13) using quicker tempo and higher energy. "Mysteries of the Stars" (6:02) might remind you to Tarja's style with Nightwish even though it's less operatic. I love "Phantoms" (4:52) because of its simplicity as a song, but still maintaining the metal style with heavy musical riffs. The next tracks are all moving nicely with similar style of previous ones" "Celestia" (8:33) and "A King's Crown for a Wealthy Weak" (4:57). "Rise" (11:24) is really a nice shot and it perfectly concludes the album wonderfully. It's the longest in term of duration and it's probably the best track that of the whole album. There is great combination of keyboard solo and guitar work plus vocal. I really enjoy the last track.

Overall, this is a very good album and I think it should be in your collection if you are a progressive metal fan. You would not regret having this album in your collection at all. This album only lacking on production. I cannot imagine if Miro and Sascha Paeth work in this album, it must be WONDERFUL. My overall rating is 3.5 out of 5. It's highly recommended for prog metal freaks! Keep on proggin' ...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

This EP is a free download from their homepage too, I forgot to mention. For those of you who like early 1990s heavy metal somewhere between Helloween, Stratovarious and Nightwish, you may even like this 3 tracks EP. The first song is Helloween inspired. The two final tracks, including a twelve minutes long track, is more towards old Nightwish. That includes over the top female vocals and a lot of keyboard and guitar solos. Goth metal, it is called.

The quality is not particular good and the three songs are pretty generic and revokes bad memories from the 1990s. But they are decent enough and the band is good too. But it is not my mug of tea. But the band has nothing to be ashamed off, though.

2 stars