Here is a review from http://www.metalreview.com
http://www.metalreview.com/ViewReview.aspx?ID=2331
Rating Scale: 1-6
Production 4.5
Songwriting 4.0
Musicianship 5.0
DOUG MOORE
This had to happen eventually. Nevermores been a force in the metal world for years, but their popularity increased exponentially with the success of Enemies of Reality and has only continued to grow with the excellent This Godless Endeavor. Anyone possessing a passing familiarity with popular music history knows that this sort of influx of popularity is bound to give rise to imitators; seeing as how Nevermore is one of the most idiosyncratic bands in all of metal, its not a huge surprise that there havent been many yet. This, ironically, is where our boys in Edens Fall run into trouble. See, despite what the above paragraph may lead you to believe, Edens Fall is not a Nevermore worship band or rip-off. This said, the primary influence here is obviously Nevermore, and because theyre so very unusual and distinctive, their heavy presence dominates Harmony of Lies and nearly spoils what would otherwise be a very solid debut.
Perhaps I should reemphasize a prior point: Edens Fall is NOT a Nevermore rip-off. Harmony of Lies is a mid-paced thrash album first and foremost and listens like one. Theres actually even a bit of death metal influence that crops up here and there, particularly when the band settles into a double-bass-driven march a la the main riff from Liquid Christ or the stompy verse featured in Blur the Lines. These guys have clearly done their classic thrash homework; theres quite a bit of Overkill flowing in this bands veins, both in terms of riffage and vocals. The songs are well thought-out, the bands tighter than a nun/virgin/eight-year-olds orifice of your choice, and this even features a mixing and mastering job from Dan Swanö and James Murphy (although with a suspiciously underpowered guitar tone).
But even through all of this, I cant listen to Harmony of Lies without immediately thinking of a certain Seattle export, and it aint anything on Sub Pop. Vocalist John Barr isnt a direct Warrell Dane imitator (as I mentioned, theres a lot of Blitz in his style as well), but those semi-melodic keening vox warbling and diving over the bands thrash/power/death backbone absolutely ensure that Nevermore springs into the listeners consciousness upon every listen. Furthermore, while guitarist Rob Aquinos soloing is tasteful and expressive, its also purebred Jeff Loomis worship, albeit lacking Loomis clockwork precision on the fretboard.
I feel a little bad giving Edens Fall as hard of a time as I am. These guys clearly know their shit and are willing to go out on a limb, which is far more than most bands can say for their freshman release (granted, most bands havent been around for six years before their first album). Harmony of Lies will have great appeal for fans of melodic thrash and heavier power metal, but it carries the same burden that bands with big Neurosis or Dillinger Escape Plan influences bear. If the band continues in this vein, theyll perpetually invite comparisons to their inspiration, and Im afraid that they arent likely to come out the better.
http://www.metalreview.com/ViewReview.aspx?ID=2331
Rating Scale: 1-6
Production 4.5
Songwriting 4.0
Musicianship 5.0
DOUG MOORE
This had to happen eventually. Nevermores been a force in the metal world for years, but their popularity increased exponentially with the success of Enemies of Reality and has only continued to grow with the excellent This Godless Endeavor. Anyone possessing a passing familiarity with popular music history knows that this sort of influx of popularity is bound to give rise to imitators; seeing as how Nevermore is one of the most idiosyncratic bands in all of metal, its not a huge surprise that there havent been many yet. This, ironically, is where our boys in Edens Fall run into trouble. See, despite what the above paragraph may lead you to believe, Edens Fall is not a Nevermore worship band or rip-off. This said, the primary influence here is obviously Nevermore, and because theyre so very unusual and distinctive, their heavy presence dominates Harmony of Lies and nearly spoils what would otherwise be a very solid debut.
Perhaps I should reemphasize a prior point: Edens Fall is NOT a Nevermore rip-off. Harmony of Lies is a mid-paced thrash album first and foremost and listens like one. Theres actually even a bit of death metal influence that crops up here and there, particularly when the band settles into a double-bass-driven march a la the main riff from Liquid Christ or the stompy verse featured in Blur the Lines. These guys have clearly done their classic thrash homework; theres quite a bit of Overkill flowing in this bands veins, both in terms of riffage and vocals. The songs are well thought-out, the bands tighter than a nun/virgin/eight-year-olds orifice of your choice, and this even features a mixing and mastering job from Dan Swanö and James Murphy (although with a suspiciously underpowered guitar tone).
But even through all of this, I cant listen to Harmony of Lies without immediately thinking of a certain Seattle export, and it aint anything on Sub Pop. Vocalist John Barr isnt a direct Warrell Dane imitator (as I mentioned, theres a lot of Blitz in his style as well), but those semi-melodic keening vox warbling and diving over the bands thrash/power/death backbone absolutely ensure that Nevermore springs into the listeners consciousness upon every listen. Furthermore, while guitarist Rob Aquinos soloing is tasteful and expressive, its also purebred Jeff Loomis worship, albeit lacking Loomis clockwork precision on the fretboard.
I feel a little bad giving Edens Fall as hard of a time as I am. These guys clearly know their shit and are willing to go out on a limb, which is far more than most bands can say for their freshman release (granted, most bands havent been around for six years before their first album). Harmony of Lies will have great appeal for fans of melodic thrash and heavier power metal, but it carries the same burden that bands with big Neurosis or Dillinger Escape Plan influences bear. If the band continues in this vein, theyll perpetually invite comparisons to their inspiration, and Im afraid that they arent likely to come out the better.
