Here's another extremely promising act from Sweden, the dark progressive metal band Nation Beyond. Their debut album The Aftermath Odyssey for Sensory is a dramatic and powerful affair that shows a band that not only is quite capable at metal styles, but also can dig into their gothic and prog pockets just as well. Formed by Debase guitarist/keyboard player Jonas Karlgren and Face Down bassist Joakim Hedestedt, Nation Beyond also features the talents of singer Nielz Lindstrom, guitarist Micro Twedberg, drummer Johan Helgresson, and vocalist Sara Heurlin. Together they form a pretty potent line-up, delivering intense, dark, symphonic metal that brings to mind classic acts such as Queensryche, Pain of Salvation, Evergrey, Savatage, as well as newer Sensory bands such as Pathosray and Circus Maximus.
The first thing you notice when making your way through this CD, is the enormous talent possessed by Lindstrom, who can flat out sing, and when paired up with the angelic vocals of Heurlin, they make a super pair. Just check out Nielz' commanding pipes soaring about crushing riffs and orchestral keyboards on the excellent "New Eden City", or his snarling delivery on the aggressive "A Rainy Say In Hell". Hard to pinpoint any comparisons in regards to his style-he does have a certain Coverdale/Lande thing going on, as well as a little Tom Englund or Devon Graves, but for the most part this guy has a pretty distinct style and is totally the real deal. Listen to him creeping about the layers of gothic keyboards and dripping melancholia on "The Council", or soaring to the heavens on the catchy & symphonic prog-metal gem "Last Deceiver" for examples of his vast diversity. Let's not forgot the rest of the band though, as they also deliver some stellar performances here, though this release is not about chops and endless wankery by any means. Tunes like "Confessions" (with some gorgeous vocals from Sara), "War of the Wastelands" (love those effective death growls), and "Aftermath" are all crushing metal pieces that let Karlgren & Twedberg really lay down some thunderous riffs, with the rhythm section locked in tight, letting the massive power chords and sweeping keys take over the mix. As a bonus, you get a radio edit of "Soulmates", a passionate ballad that had been picked as the CD's single, and features a great duet between Lindstrom and Heurlin. I'm really hearing Evergrey on this one.
The Aftermath Odyssey is one of those releases that's going to take a few listens to fully absorb and appreciate. Once you do, you'll find yourself going back to it pretty regularly. Housed in a lovely digipack with a fully loaded booklet containing lyrics, artwork, and photographs, this is a well put together debut and sure to find lots of fans within the genre here in 2008. Highly recommended!
Track Listing
- The End
- A Rainy Day In Hell
- In The Ashes
- The Wanderer
- New Eden City
- The Council
- Soulmates
- Last Deceiver
- Confessions
- War Of The Wastelands
- Aftermath
- Point Zero
- Soulmates (Radio Edit)
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