The Long Road Home is a collection of new, previously played live tracks that were never released, and earlier demos complete with some futuristic artwork, from Canadian metallers Empyria. This band have existed for quite a while having started in 1991, and released five other CDs, their last back in 2002, so now after quite a lengthy break between releases, they have returned with this new CD. Each song was performed as full takes, so the notes read, certainly giving the album a different feel to the norm.
Empyria's website labels their music as power/progressive, on hearing The Long Road Home I found Empyria's music to be quite melodic, powerful and easy to get into. Though the progressive aspect is there on this CD, it's not excessively complex, and there's more of a mix of hard rock and metal. Also worth mentioning are the very dominating vocals of Phil leite, this is one vocalist who knows how apply his strong and distinctive voice.
"The Endless Circle" is a sturdy opener with a fetching solo section, following next with the very catchy "False Witness". Track three "No Other Way" demonstrates Empyria's diversity, and "Returning Home" concludes The Long Road Home being one of this CDs best. The Long Road Home has its share of well composed and appealing songs, and it's nice to hear band with their own sound, Empyria are one that surely has theirs.
Track Listing:
1 Intro
2 The Endless Circle
3 False Witness
4 No Other Way
5 Lonely People
6 Last Rites
7 Can't Wait Forever
8 Of All The Dreams
9 Without Within
10 Walk Away
11 Solitude (Inst.)
12 Returning Home
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