After Forever Invisible Circles
Transmission Records
2004
www.afterforever.com
www.transmissionrecords.com
1 Childhood in Minor
2. Beautiful Emptiness
3 Between Love and Fire
4 Sins of Idealism
5 Eccentric
6 Digital Deceit
7 Through Square Eyes
8 Blind Pain
9 Two Sides
10. Victim of Choices
11. Reflections
12. Lifes Vortex
AFTER FOREVER have returned with a brand new release this year, and this is really a full blown out concept album. Well, not really so much as a concept album, as almost being set up as a metal opera, which has become so popular as of late. It probably helps that lead vocalist, Floor Jansen, has spent so much time lately performing with AYREON. Naw, Im sure that has nothing to do with it. Yes, that was sarcasm, folks. Well, whatever you want to call this, it is really damn good. For those not in the know, AFTER FOREVER play symphonic metal with gothic tinges, and play it well they do. They can go from some wonderful heavy vocal choir choruses, and merge into some acoustic interlude, that leads into some heavy death vocals surrounding some very rocking metal riffs. The songs are so well thought out and perfected, and never sound sloppy. Now, from what I can tell, the concept of the album has to do with a couple disagreeing on having a child, and the child coming into their lives, and changing everything. This will probably be something we all will have to deal with in some way or another, so it really brings you that much closer to the music with something much more idetifiable.
The harsh vocals are amazingly well done. They are death like, but very clear and decipherable, much like NOVEMBERS DOOM. This might actually be one of my favorite features of the band. This makes for a great dichotomy to Floor Jansens higher ranged female vocals, which are actual used more as a rock style female vocal and not forced into some false operatic the whole time. Although, she will pull out the angelic opera vocals once in a while when it fits the music. Their different styles combine to make a pleasant listen, but nothing that really overwhelms you while listening. The music really is on a wide spectrum, ranging from straight forward metal, Middle Eastern tinged melodies; symphonic moments complete with choir work, and hauntingly beautiful guitar and piano passages, all the while never sounding over the top.
While AFTER FOREVER are nothing new, and I can think of a handful of bands that do the same exact thing, yet AFTER FOREVER have something unique about them. They never sound contrived, and the love of the songs they convey is so convincing that you get right there in the mood with them. This is something that is quite hard to do, and AFTER FOREVER manages to do so right from the beginning. Another quality release from them and one definitely worth adding to your collection.
Rating: 8.1 /10
Evil C
Transmission Records
2004
www.afterforever.com
www.transmissionrecords.com
1 Childhood in Minor
2. Beautiful Emptiness
3 Between Love and Fire
4 Sins of Idealism
5 Eccentric
6 Digital Deceit
7 Through Square Eyes
8 Blind Pain
9 Two Sides
10. Victim of Choices
11. Reflections
12. Lifes Vortex
AFTER FOREVER have returned with a brand new release this year, and this is really a full blown out concept album. Well, not really so much as a concept album, as almost being set up as a metal opera, which has become so popular as of late. It probably helps that lead vocalist, Floor Jansen, has spent so much time lately performing with AYREON. Naw, Im sure that has nothing to do with it. Yes, that was sarcasm, folks. Well, whatever you want to call this, it is really damn good. For those not in the know, AFTER FOREVER play symphonic metal with gothic tinges, and play it well they do. They can go from some wonderful heavy vocal choir choruses, and merge into some acoustic interlude, that leads into some heavy death vocals surrounding some very rocking metal riffs. The songs are so well thought out and perfected, and never sound sloppy. Now, from what I can tell, the concept of the album has to do with a couple disagreeing on having a child, and the child coming into their lives, and changing everything. This will probably be something we all will have to deal with in some way or another, so it really brings you that much closer to the music with something much more idetifiable.
The harsh vocals are amazingly well done. They are death like, but very clear and decipherable, much like NOVEMBERS DOOM. This might actually be one of my favorite features of the band. This makes for a great dichotomy to Floor Jansens higher ranged female vocals, which are actual used more as a rock style female vocal and not forced into some false operatic the whole time. Although, she will pull out the angelic opera vocals once in a while when it fits the music. Their different styles combine to make a pleasant listen, but nothing that really overwhelms you while listening. The music really is on a wide spectrum, ranging from straight forward metal, Middle Eastern tinged melodies; symphonic moments complete with choir work, and hauntingly beautiful guitar and piano passages, all the while never sounding over the top.
While AFTER FOREVER are nothing new, and I can think of a handful of bands that do the same exact thing, yet AFTER FOREVER have something unique about them. They never sound contrived, and the love of the songs they convey is so convincing that you get right there in the mood with them. This is something that is quite hard to do, and AFTER FOREVER manages to do so right from the beginning. Another quality release from them and one definitely worth adding to your collection.
Rating: 8.1 /10
Evil C
