Brutiful
Reign In Metal
Zodiac :  Metal Reputation : 1
Join date : 2014-02-25
Location : Global Metal Domination
 | |  Teramaze - Esoteric Symbolism (2014) Album Review | |
Teramaze - Esoteric Symbolism (2014)
Nightmare Records - Sony/R.E.D -- Running Time: 78:00
SCORE
9/10
Australians Teramaze have been around since the early 1990's and their fourth & latest album 'Esoteric Symbolism is the first time I've heard of them. Yet again I'm completely stumped as to why that is, although being based in that country or New Zealand makes it difficult for bands to get noticed, because the Modern Progressive Metal they showcase is astonishing in its complexity, vibrancy and passion. With their sound sitting somewhere between Dream Theater, Vision Divine, Tesseract & Tool, Teramaze have delivered a darkly brooding but hugely melodic and mature album and Nightmare Records have done it again!
At nearly 80 minutes 'Esoteric Symbolism' completely fills the running time allowed on a CD so it's not for the faint hearted but if you appreciate great songs, outstanding musicianship and are willing to persevere then this album will be a must. It's actually not difficult to get into almost immediately but the more you play it the more the catchy, but quite melancholy songs show themselves and bury into your grey matter! Perhaps the only thing I would say is that over the first couple of listens, certain songs, do seem to blend into one another because Teramaze compose from a fairly narrow scope musically That's just a minor thing though!
Although all members of the band are quite fabulous, 'star of the show' prize has to go to band leader/guitarist/backing vocalist Dean Wells whose playing is quite simply stunning. His riffs and solos appear completely effortless and give me shivers. He is right up there with Per Nilsson, Simone Mularoni and John Petrucci. Vocalist Brett Rerekura also puts in a wonderful performance throughout (although he does seem to been replaced recently by Nathan Peachey). Wells and Rerekura together strike pure gold on the track 'VII: Darkest Days Of Symphony' which has sumptuous vocal and guitar melodies and is my favourite here.
Wells has also produced and mixed the album and it's arguably the best sounding CD I've heard this year. Teramaze may have been around a fair while, but reading up on them it appears they have developed their sound from a somewhat more thrash approach over the years. If 'Esoteric Symbolism' is the way forward then they have found that certain something which should catapult them into much wider recognition. Brilliant!
https://www.facebook.com/teramaze
http://teramaze.com.au/
https://twitter.com/teramazemusic
http://nightmarerecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/NightmareRecords
Review written exclusively for Brutiful Entertainment by Rick Tilley:
www.facebook.com/richard.tilley.351
| |
|
