Norway's progressive metal act Withem burst on the scene with their 2013 debut for Sensory Records titled The Point of You, and here they are three years later on Frontiers Records (but of course) with their sophomore album The Unforgiving Road. The band, comprised of Ole Aleksander Wagenius (Vocals), Frank Nordeng Røe (Drums), Øyvind Voldmo Larsen (Guitar), and Miguel Pereira (Bass), continue on here with their engaging sound that mixes stunning lead vocals with powerful, complex riffs, symphonic keyboards, and dynamic rhythms, clearly influenced by bands like Dream Theater, Symphony X, Pagan's Mind, Queensryche, Circus Maximus, and Seventh Wonder, but with their own identity shining through. The press information does not list who plays keyboards on the album, but rest assured, they play a big part here.
As on their debut, it's the vocals of Ole that instantly stand out, and this guy is absolutely soaring on the excellent "In the Hands of a God" amid a cavalcade of furious riffs and tasty keys. The groove laden, symphonic, and certainly rocking "The Pain I Collected" is another dramatic, classic prog-metal track featuring some dazzling ensemble playing, especially from Larsen, who really is a gifted guitarist. Other highlights here include the melodic & atmospheric "C'est la Vie", the engaging pop hooks of "The Eye in the Sky" (superb vocals!), the snarling & quite heavy numbers "Exit" and "Arrhythmia", as well as the more melodic rock themed "In My Will". The band combine all these styles on the dramatic & emotional closer "Unaffected Love", once again, another great vehicle for Ole to show off his superior vocal chops. This guy is without a doubt the real deal, as are the rest of Withem, a progressive metal band that the world will surely be taking a closer look at with the release of this sizzling gem of an album.
Track Listing
01. ...Intro
02.Exit
03. In the Hands of a God
04.The Pain I Collected
05.Riven
06.C'est la Vie
07.The Eye in the Sky
08.Arrhythmia
09.In My Will
10.Unaffected Love
11.Outro...
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