Armory - The Dawn Of Enlightenment |
Published February 12 2008
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The Tempest |
| Genre | Power Metal |
Adam Kurland
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Vocals
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| Tracks | 12 |
Chad Fisher
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Guitar
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| Runningtime | 64 Min. |
Joe Kurland
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Guitar
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| Label | Self Released |
Tom Preziosi
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Bass
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| Release | 18 Dec. 2007 |
Joe Kurland
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Drums
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| Country | USA |
Peter Rutcho
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Keyboard
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| Similar artists | Apocrypha, Cellador, Edguy | ||
Us Americans idol too much pop fodder. I asseverate that
when it comes to fine music appreciation, today's youth have become
indolent and ignorant. If one were to estimate our musical awareness
based on Billboard Magazine or the Grammys, we would appear as the deaf
jamboree of obsequious servants, voraciously devouring the flavour of
the weak.
Too many so-called metal acts whom we endure, are ensconced in the the
milieu of hardcore rap attrition, or death-like violence. Only a select
remnant of true mettle hearts dare to create Power Metal Majesty on
these shores of sing song. This disconsolate irony is rife, given that
labels like Metal Blade and Roadrunner once promoted several 80's American
artists, who essentially established the standard, and set the precedent.
Today, these Metal functionaries sign too many comparative acts, thus
becoming completely oblivious to real talent; thereby making a mock
spectacle of what they once achieved.
Thankfully, I have faith in US steel. There are several reputable groups
following their heart and dreams. Whether it be Cellador, Eternal Legacy,
Engage, or other dedicated contenders, my hopes remain high, and forever
triumphant. Next to compete, Townsend, Massachusetts based Armory ascend,
riding the cosmic winds of destination.
These exuberant enthusiasts initiated their journey while still in High
School in 2001. As friends of all things metal, they reembodied their
ambitions to create the ten song demo: The Dawn Of Enlightenment. Brothers
Adam and Joe Kurland worked with guitarist Chad Fisher for almost three
years to manifest this reality. Unfortunately, timing is everything,
and neither the band nor the fans really appreciated the final product.
Thus, in 2005 they re-entered the studio to re-record the album with
local producer/engineer Peter Rutcho, who then agreed to join as their
keyboardist. All vocal melodies were reworked, revised, and redacted
as the songs were re-structured. Joe laid down all the drum tracks,
but Tom Vieira has since joined as a stable member.
Finally around Christmas time 2007, the new version of The Dawn Of Enlightenment
was released, this time including an Iron Maiden cover, and an instrumental
version of the Nintendo game song Dr. Willy from Mega Man 2. Forged
in the dragon flames, this metal monster is armed to the teeth!
The Tempest storms the apocalypse with two minutes to ignite before
bleeding into the blistering Faith In Steel. Immediately the zealous
listener feels he is following the mystic star back to the time when
Hammerfall, Blind Guardian, and Stratovarius once accelerated and attentuated
the drama. Forever Triumphant mitigates the lightning pace on a sojourn
back to Avantasia. Vocalist Adam Kurd characteristically channels Tobias
Sammet, with a penchant nuance for Bruce Dickinson.
Eyes of Time changes up the stream of consciousness with almost a videogamesque
quality. The guitar transitions here remind me of Apocrypha's Tony Fredianelli's
forgotten scrawl. The lyrics all throughout also have a real epistomological
personification. Brother Jason Kurland contributed his wistful expressions
to the overall fantastic, metaphysical themes. This becomes evidenced
by the 13 minute epic title track; which clearly approbates influences
from Iced Earth, Iron Maiden, & Dream Theater, thereby preserving
the sacred keys of Helloween. As the mellifluous epic unfolds with a
haunting mist of harmony and elation, the listener becomes surrounded
in the enlightened wealth of true talent and artisan.
Every bountiful bite of Boston based cream pie really satiates my spiritual
appetite. There are so many melding, melodic solos pristinely performed.
This is definitely an all out armored assault. Joe and Chad have the
potential to be the next Kai Hansen & Henjo Richter. Tom Preziosi
even has that Dirk Schlächter outlandish basic intent. Other influences
which are detectable include Lost Horizon, Sonata Arctica, Angra, and
Rhapsody; with a hint of Children of Bodom. Although there are absolutely
no harsh vocals present; assiduous increments of melodic death metal
are articulated.
The only downside to this glorious effort is the simplistic packaging
with just a fold-over booklet of lyrics and photos; but in a digital
age, this is definitely worth purchasing from their own site www.faithinsteel.com.
To quote the bands themselves, "At last we have returned through
timeless ages in a quest for truth, while fighting to seek answers to
life's epic questions, we abandoned the lies of others to discover our
own way...".
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Performance
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Originality
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Production
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Vocals
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Songwriting
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Summary
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8,5 chalices of 10 - Michael the MettleAngel |
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