Brutiful_ViXn
Reign In Metal
Zodiac :  Metal Reputation : 88
Join date : 2012-01-05
Location : Vacationing in Hell
 | |  Aeon Zen - Enigma Review (2013) Album Review | |
Aeon Zen - Enigma (2013)
Nightmare Records -- Running Time 45:48
To be fair, I'm having trouble keeping up with all the fantastic albums being released this year and now I have Aeon Zen's third album 'Enigma' to add to that ever growing list. Choosing my top ten this year is going to be an absolute nightmare. Aeon Zen, who were formed in 2008 are a UK based Melodic Progressive Metal Band, have already released two very good albums 'A Mind's Portrait' (2009) and 'The Face Of The Unknown' (2010) which culminated in a European Tour with The Devin Townsend Project in 2011 and they have now spent two years working on 'Enigma', and it is their best yet.
What you'll notice first is the huge variety of influences present, although Aeon Zen combine them fantastically well. Dream Theater, Seventh Wonder, Threshold, Sonata Arctica, Pagan's Mind, Symphony X and the already mentioned Devin Townsend all spring to mind when listening to this album, but at no time do they copy anyone, creating their own signature sound. Instrumental 'Enter The Enigma' kicks things off in great style before morphing into opening track proper 'Artificial Soul' and it might take you by surprise because it is a slow burner of a song, starting quietly and gradually building into a much heavier climax. It works well because next up is 'Divinity' which is more ferocious all round and introduces harsh vocals as well. After that you get a further seven tracks of top class metal in all manner of guises. Like the first track though,'Enigma' is not an immediate fix, taking several listens before the songs and melodies start to burrow into your head, but once they do you'll be singing along at the top of your voice.
'Rich Hinks' (guitar, bass, vocals) has really excelled himself with the songwriting on this album (and has also done a fantastic production job). Joined by 'Andi Kravljaca' (vocals), 'Matt Shepherd' (guitar), 'Steve Burton' (drums) and new keyboard player 'Shaz', they have released an album that any of the above mentioned bands would be proud of. Aeon Zen have also invited three guest vocalists to appear on 'Enigma' and 'Nate Loosemore' (Lost In Thought), 'Atle Pettersen' (Above Symmetry) and ''Jonny Tatum' (Eumeria) all play their parts suprememly well and actually add to proceedings rather than just being names to throw around!
If you like any of the bands named and would like to hear a group of musicians successfully merge many of those styles with cracking songs and plenty of talent then Aeon Zen are a must listen. If you go to their website they have very kindly provided a free download (mixed and mastered to a great standard by Hinks) of a recent full live show where the 'Enigma' album is played in its entirety. This is also well worth getting, especially if you intend seeing them supporting Queensryche in London later in the year. Cracking stuff!
http://www.aeonzen.com/fr_news.cfm
https://www.facebook.com/aeonzen
https://www.facebook.com/NightmareRecords
Review written exclusively for Brutiful Entertainment by Rick Tilley: www.facebook.com/richard.tilley.351
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