Hey All,
Reviews keep coming in on "Time Capsules". Here is the newest for Hardrock Haven:
Comments: You've gotta have a pair of brass cajones-make that four pair-to want to cover a TNT classic like "Seven Seas," on your debut, nonetheless. Tony Harnell is one of the best voices of all time in metal, and Ronni Le Tekro is one of the most innovative guitarists and one whose licks are instantly recognizable. In steps the Progressive/Power Metal band Six Minute Century to close their debut Time Capsules with that cover, and it's a doozie. But their originals come first
The Houston, Texas based band, formed as recently as 2004, has put together a CD that is content-driven, with songs about Iraq, the Oklahoma City bombing, and Martin Luther King. Jr., among others.
Time Capsules begins with "Under the Moonlight." From the get-go, you'll hear technically adept riffing from Don LaFon, and a rhythm section that is equally as intricate and combustible. Lead singer Chuck Williams uses a clean, higher range, that is crystal clear and uses some vibrato to soften the blow. Musically, you can hear influences of Symphony X, although their speed rarely gets that frenetic. There is a lot of musical information to digest here, with tempo changes and feverish leads, and it seems like the band started the CD with their most difficult composition, for bragging rights if nothing else.
"The Perfect Picture" is a more atmospheric song, with LaFon playing keys, and blasting musical starts and stops during the opening verse are impressive. Williams' voice soars as he sings the opening chorus, "And gave me the strength to carry on!," which leads into the actual verse. Although this is not even close to a verse-verse-chorus type of composition, their ability to make it cohesive marks it as one of the best on the CD.
Timothy McVeigh probably thought a lot of things would happen to his "legacy" when he cowardly murdered 168 men, women and children in Oklahoma City, but having a band sing about feeling "the cold grip around your soul as you enter Hell," surely wasn't one of them. This is an angry, vehement song, with slowed down Slayer-type harmonic guitar leads, eerie and foreboding. When Williams sings, "On that day of infamy, April 19th, I cried myself to sleep," you will believe him. John Sample's bass playing is gut-wrenching as well, passionless and cold, and perfect. Clearly, "April 19th, 1995" is another highlight of the CD.
Things get back on a heavier track when you hit "Heaven's Gate." And yes, this song is about the jogging suit-adorned, Nike wearing Heaven's Gate, Haley's Comet folks. LaFon's guitar solo is solid, almost venturing into Petrucci-ville, but it's really the churning riffs that carry this song along. Again, if you like your songs with meaning and not just with top-notch musicianship, how can't you like this song?
It'd be interesting to be a fly on the wall when the guys decided to throw a cover on the CD to close it out. "Hey, I know let's measure ourselves up against one of the best bands ever!" And they all agreed? Maybe the surface-level TNT fans wouldn't know "Seven Seas" was a TNT cover, but 99 percent of TNT fans are fanatics, so it's doubtful. Regardless, Williams grasps the vocal melodies of Harnell, taking them for a ride, and at the very least, doesn't get thrown off. In fact, he nails the ending fiercely, almost sounding like he has room spare. LaFon maybe isn't quite as quirky as LeTekro, but still does a laudable version of LeTekro's style. All in all, it's a damn cool cover.
Six Minute Century rides that demilitarized zone between Power and Progressive Metal, which probably means to them, it's just music. They play what they want. So if you need a genre, pick either one. But if you want a smart, highly-skilled metal CD, Time Capsules won't let you down.
www.sixminutecentury.com
We look forward to seeing you at Rocklahoma!!!!!!!!!
Six Minute Century
Reviews keep coming in on "Time Capsules". Here is the newest for Hardrock Haven:
Comments: You've gotta have a pair of brass cajones-make that four pair-to want to cover a TNT classic like "Seven Seas," on your debut, nonetheless. Tony Harnell is one of the best voices of all time in metal, and Ronni Le Tekro is one of the most innovative guitarists and one whose licks are instantly recognizable. In steps the Progressive/Power Metal band Six Minute Century to close their debut Time Capsules with that cover, and it's a doozie. But their originals come first
The Houston, Texas based band, formed as recently as 2004, has put together a CD that is content-driven, with songs about Iraq, the Oklahoma City bombing, and Martin Luther King. Jr., among others.
Time Capsules begins with "Under the Moonlight." From the get-go, you'll hear technically adept riffing from Don LaFon, and a rhythm section that is equally as intricate and combustible. Lead singer Chuck Williams uses a clean, higher range, that is crystal clear and uses some vibrato to soften the blow. Musically, you can hear influences of Symphony X, although their speed rarely gets that frenetic. There is a lot of musical information to digest here, with tempo changes and feverish leads, and it seems like the band started the CD with their most difficult composition, for bragging rights if nothing else.
"The Perfect Picture" is a more atmospheric song, with LaFon playing keys, and blasting musical starts and stops during the opening verse are impressive. Williams' voice soars as he sings the opening chorus, "And gave me the strength to carry on!," which leads into the actual verse. Although this is not even close to a verse-verse-chorus type of composition, their ability to make it cohesive marks it as one of the best on the CD.
Timothy McVeigh probably thought a lot of things would happen to his "legacy" when he cowardly murdered 168 men, women and children in Oklahoma City, but having a band sing about feeling "the cold grip around your soul as you enter Hell," surely wasn't one of them. This is an angry, vehement song, with slowed down Slayer-type harmonic guitar leads, eerie and foreboding. When Williams sings, "On that day of infamy, April 19th, I cried myself to sleep," you will believe him. John Sample's bass playing is gut-wrenching as well, passionless and cold, and perfect. Clearly, "April 19th, 1995" is another highlight of the CD.
Things get back on a heavier track when you hit "Heaven's Gate." And yes, this song is about the jogging suit-adorned, Nike wearing Heaven's Gate, Haley's Comet folks. LaFon's guitar solo is solid, almost venturing into Petrucci-ville, but it's really the churning riffs that carry this song along. Again, if you like your songs with meaning and not just with top-notch musicianship, how can't you like this song?
It'd be interesting to be a fly on the wall when the guys decided to throw a cover on the CD to close it out. "Hey, I know let's measure ourselves up against one of the best bands ever!" And they all agreed? Maybe the surface-level TNT fans wouldn't know "Seven Seas" was a TNT cover, but 99 percent of TNT fans are fanatics, so it's doubtful. Regardless, Williams grasps the vocal melodies of Harnell, taking them for a ride, and at the very least, doesn't get thrown off. In fact, he nails the ending fiercely, almost sounding like he has room spare. LaFon maybe isn't quite as quirky as LeTekro, but still does a laudable version of LeTekro's style. All in all, it's a damn cool cover.
Six Minute Century rides that demilitarized zone between Power and Progressive Metal, which probably means to them, it's just music. They play what they want. So if you need a genre, pick either one. But if you want a smart, highly-skilled metal CD, Time Capsules won't let you down.
www.sixminutecentury.com
We look forward to seeing you at Rocklahoma!!!!!!!!!
Six Minute Century
