Stealing Axion: Aeons

The last album by Stealing Axion was entitled Moments; this album, the band's second, is called Aeons. Both are units of time, but I'm there's a pretty big difference between the two. I doubt that the band was thinking that Aeons would be a huge leap forward, a vast stretch of time as opposed to a moment. That's probably a good thing since this album plays off of the strengths of the first without reinventing the band's sound and style. To me, the main difference between the albums is that this one feels slightly less urgent in its delivery. This is by no means a bad thing. Whereas much of the first album grabbed my attention, this one seemed a bit more subtle, as if inviting me to take my time with the album, to listen to it multiple times. Now that I've spent some time with the album, I think I finally have some things to say about it.

Some readers may recall that I was quite fond of the band's last album, Moments. I recall saying that it was one of the best albums in that style that I'd heard all that year. This was an important thing for me to say given the way Stealing Axion sometimes draws on metalcore qualities, a style I normally don't enjoy. I was so happy with the way the band resisted falling into clichés, always adding new layers and new ideas to their music, that I thought I had heard something truly special. I stand by that opinion. Stealing Axion is a good band with a persuasive musical presence.

With Aeons, Stealing Axion offers listeners over an hour of new material. Much of it has a heavy / melodic / progressive / atmospheric feel to it, a blend of styles that support the thematic connections to science fiction that lie at the heart of this album. I'm not sure what influences these guys have, either in music or in science fiction, but the music seems committed to a view of things with a cosmic dimension. I like that; to me, it gives the band an extra edge. Sure, of the metalcore elements are still in evidence, but they don't detract from the listening experience as much as they might. The singing is occasionally overly emotive, but it suited the style of the album well enough. Besides, there's plenty of growling to keep things heavy.

I was especially impressed with the guitar and bass performances on this album. The low end really sticks out and keeps things moving beautifully. I love a solid and interesting bass line and this album delivers plenty of those. As for the guitar, all I can say is to be sure and out "Exiled," a track with some really awesome guitar work.

I don't know how Stealing Axion is performing nationally but I'm glad to see another release from these guys. I hope the coming years will be good to them and that they'll stick to their interesting vision and their commitment to putting out interesting and original music.

Track Listing:
1. Transcendence
2. Lost Awakening
3. Memories
4. Parallel Futures
5. Gravity's Pull
6. Imprisoned
7. Astral Revelations
8. Exiled
9. Dreams Reversed
10. Skyline
11. Final Moments of a Dying Sun

Added: December 3rd 2014
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 2455
Language: english

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