I received my copy of _Rooms of Anguish_ in the mail the other day. I have been buying an obscene amount of Cds lately so usually I don't listen to new releases until weeks or months after they come out. However, my excitement was hefty for this release so it jumped the line (despite my waning interest in "prog metal" related things). I am listening to it for the fourth time now.
I am blown the hell away. The first thing that hooked me was the huge, epic sound of this album. The choir-led intro, the big keyboards, the onslaught of Alex's drumming, the desperate emotional vocals... all contribute nicely to the "hugeness" of this album's sound. and that intro to "In the End"...that is the definition of "EPIC". (to me, being epic gets you bonus points.)
Dave's tone is a lot better on this album, and his flamenco influence continues to implant an original dynamic in the band's sound, which is already distinctive and remarkable.
New bassist Chris H. kicks reams of ass and the rhythmic interplay on this CD is just gahhhhhhh---awesome. This stuff sounds so painstakingly composed. It's almost chaotic and impenetrable at first but I'm slowly getting a grasp of all the intricate playing and writing. The songs are feeling very cohesive and well-written/arranged as I listen more.
Chris S.'s vocals are incredible. He reminded me how much power can be unleashed with this vocal style. Some of the vocal lines on this album blow my mind. The "No!!! I will not deceive..." part of "With these Words" (when it comes back in near the end) is one of the most chilling things ANY prog metal singer has ever done.
I know the band reads the forum a lot so I will say: you guys have really done an amazing job. I hope this album really catches on because Power of Omens deserves so much attention. There is nothing like this band in prog metal right now (the rhythmic complexity combined with the epic, intense sound). _Rooms of Anguish_ is terrific and distinctive work.
Cheers,
Clayton
I am blown the hell away. The first thing that hooked me was the huge, epic sound of this album. The choir-led intro, the big keyboards, the onslaught of Alex's drumming, the desperate emotional vocals... all contribute nicely to the "hugeness" of this album's sound. and that intro to "In the End"...that is the definition of "EPIC". (to me, being epic gets you bonus points.)
Dave's tone is a lot better on this album, and his flamenco influence continues to implant an original dynamic in the band's sound, which is already distinctive and remarkable.
New bassist Chris H. kicks reams of ass and the rhythmic interplay on this CD is just gahhhhhhh---awesome. This stuff sounds so painstakingly composed. It's almost chaotic and impenetrable at first but I'm slowly getting a grasp of all the intricate playing and writing. The songs are feeling very cohesive and well-written/arranged as I listen more.
Chris S.'s vocals are incredible. He reminded me how much power can be unleashed with this vocal style. Some of the vocal lines on this album blow my mind. The "No!!! I will not deceive..." part of "With these Words" (when it comes back in near the end) is one of the most chilling things ANY prog metal singer has ever done.
I know the band reads the forum a lot so I will say: you guys have really done an amazing job. I hope this album really catches on because Power of Omens deserves so much attention. There is nothing like this band in prog metal right now (the rhythmic complexity combined with the epic, intense sound). _Rooms of Anguish_ is terrific and distinctive work.
Cheers,
Clayton
- This is by far the most challenging thing I've ever attempted, and the pressure was on for me to perform- especially taking into consideration what everyone would be expecting on RoA. I'm glad that the love and work we put into it sounds like it paid off.
