Until Rain are a progressive metal band and one that is very good at what they do. Bang for your buck is something you get with this band from Greece and their new album Anthem To Creation where there is plenty to take in as you venture through the eleven tracks. Especially when you find that three songs are rather long, in particular the title track at eighteen minutes plus so you aren't in for some brief listening stint.
Until Rain's prior releases include their debut full length The Reign Of Dreams from a few years back, and a following EP Pandemic. Mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren (Amon Amarth, Opeth and Iron Maiden) and Jens has Anthem To Creation sounding spot on.
Anthem To Creation features five talented performers vocalist Yannis Papadopoulos , guitarist Theodore Amaxopoulos , Lefteris Germenlis on keyboards, bass player Bill Gkagkavouzis and drummer Alex Hughes. Launching with a song that could be placed into the heavier side of progressive metal with a hefty guitar sound and crushing drums is "Brain Death". That guitar is screaming on "Think Again" and puts on a smoking fast display on this complex song. "Living Hell" is so good with a gripping groove like that which Symphony X do so well "My Own Blood" gels with powerful music and vocals both male and female. "Empty Helmet" is another progressive metal gem, commencing with such a catchy heaviness like if metal group Brainstorm went progressive and they topped it off with a gripping chorus. "13-8" has an added ethnic musical feel that works really well and by the time you reach the albums epic namesake track "Anthem to Creation" you may need a short breather as its quite an adventurous one. The vibrancy of "Marionettes" makes for a satisfying closer.
Until Rain show loads of enthusiasm on Anthem To Creation they aren't carving a new direction but performing some of the most impressive progressive metal I have heard this year.
Track listing
1. Brain Death
2. Think Again
3. Living Hell
4. My Own Blood
5. Empty Helmet
6. 13-8
7. The Clang of Shields Pt. I
8. The Clang of Shields Pt. II
9. Anthem to Creation
10. Breaking of the 7 Seals
11. Marionettes
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
