I Just Had My Spiritual Energy Battery Recharged
Written: Sep 15 '08 (Updated Sep 15 '08)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: One of the best albums this year.
Cons: I doubt they would play for my bithday party!
The Bottom Line: It will make my list as one of the great finds of this year. It is an album that must be heard to be believed. A must have.
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| wolfman309's Full Review: All That I Need To Survive - Aetherius |
In the field of progressive rock it is becoming increasingly hard to find bands that really generate what the genre is suppose to be about. All to often, bands nowadays want to be nothing more than clones of the great artist in thefield. But, every so often a band comes along that breaks the mold and pushes the limits in a new direction. This is what progressive music is all about and this is what Aetherius stands for too.
They ask you to think of their music from a different perspective. Remember as a kid how you were filled with hopes and dreams. How anything was possible. You looked for ways to make things happen. The only limit was your own creativity. Then remember how the people surrounding you and many in the society at large, tried to squash those ideas. What could have been if they were encouraged instead of discouraged? This band represents the free thinker who rather than bows to the pressures of his surroundings, continues to create and move the boundaries of his chosen art. This is the philosophy behind "All That I Need To Survive".
I hope you are prepared for the excursion that is about to happen. The conductor is calling "All Aboard" and the Aetherius express is about to leave the station. With a slow deliberate build up, the train starts to leave. The most exciting part of the trip is the anticipation of what is before you and Aetherius sets you up with the intro called "Zero A.E." Creeping up and building speed, the band brings you to full speed with a song that is destined to be a major hit. "Minding the Hourglass" is one of those songs that gets stuck in your head and just stays there. For days now this great piece of rock and roll has rattled around up there and refuses to leave! There is one line in the song that is just unforgettable and you will know just what I mean when you hear this disc. Lyrically these guys are at the top of their game and they back it up with a all out sonic attack that is led by their three guitars and a dynamite piano that adds a devilish touch to this hook laden work. I can't call it a highlight to this album as there really is no low points, but I fell in love with this band right from the get go because of this song.
As intriguing as the first song is, this album is a true gem with many great stops along the way. For guitar wizardry the band disembarks first at the depot "6". This is a tale which keeps the mind occupied while the ears are being overwhelmed by the wall of sound that the band puts up for your pleasure. With a full out metal attack the band still creates an ambiance with a melodic flavor for which to savor. The complexity of their multi-layed music is so rich in texture you will find yourself lost in the swirling sound comming out of the speakers.
They also give you a couple shots of a most brutal nature with the thunderous "The New Way Of Thinking"and the hellish assault they call "Hold Onto Your Dreams". Each of this songs are as hard core as you can get. With the later giving you visions of the early Metallica mixed with a bit of Dream Theater. If that isn't an interesting combo, I don't know what is.
In the middle of all this, the bullet train you have been on needs to take a little break. Aetherius gives you a very interesting rest with a majestic piano piece called "Evolve or Dissolve". This one could be called New Age in its feel. I have always been a fan of Mannheim Steamroller and this could have come out of their bag of tricks. It is just a beautiful piece of music.
Now that the rest stop has been completed, be ready to fire up the engines and roll once more. "In The Here And Now" gives you a real boost as it combines the heaviness of the band with a new sonic backdrop, a very compelling acoustic guitar wove into the mixture. They tip their hats to Rush with this regal piece of metal combined with the clean, fresh sound of the acoustic. Such a combination of sound confronts you, that you'll find new twists each time you listen to it.
Every journey must come to an end and this time the destination is reached with the jewel of the album. It is the incredible epic "Rainbands". In the span of about twelve and a half minutes, this band takes you with wild daring to a musical level that is only reached by those few bands that can hit your nerve centers with their music. I am talking about the groups that make you hold your breath until the last note echoes away. This is how good Aetherius is.
On a whole, this album is the kind of first release that makes you wonder just where have they been hiding. I guess it is North Chelmsford Massachusetts. But you had better hold on. There is an explosion about to happen there and it is going to have global impact!
The track listing for this absolutely must have album is:
1. Zero A.E.
2. Minding The Hourglass
3. 6
4. The New Way Of Thinking
5. Hold Onto Your Dreams
6. Evolve Or Dissolve
7. In The Here And Now
8. Rainbands
For every good album that I find, there is many that, well lets just say, leave a lot to be desired. This album was a real find. Each time I listen to the rich textures of the music, it is like a new experience. As I get to know the songs, I keep finding different nuances that make me wonder how I missed them the first time. That is what makes this special. It never grows tiring and keeps you coming back for more. I cannot wait to see where they take it from here.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Listening
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Epinions.com ID:
wolfman309
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Member: Scott Ward
Location: Mt Pleasant, MI
Reviews written: 255
Trusted by: 134 members
About Me:
Let the music do the talking!!!
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