Nemesis is a Hungarian band, that after two releases within their native language has released their first English written album.
The music is Progressive Metal, mostly mid-tempo, with a dominant keyboard and a central rhythm guitar. I will comment on most of the songs, good and less good, to give an impression of what to expect.
The album opens with
Reality's Door, a song that can be labelled more standard in its approach. It has some atmospheric keyboard passages and the guitar riffs are pretty interesting and have a cool Heavy edge. I'm not too impressed with the vocal performance on this record, and here it comes out a bit thin and lacking some spark. The main rhythm in this song becomes a bit monotone in length.
Much more quality comes to life in
Four Mirrors. I like the catchy melody in the melodic chorus, and the bass also displays some interesting variations. The different passages are well combined and a lot of melody is created. Especially the keyboard makes a lot of great appearances. The chorus is used to the limit, but sung in a fitting way.
Eden ? has a strange intro that sounds very computer made and is much too long. Overall this song is unstructured and the different passages do not really melt together. The more technical parts and the grooving bass are some of the more positive things. The lack of melody makes the song seem a bit monotone in the end.
The fake sounding computer elements that are used here and there is something that bothers me a lot. Especially in the over 3 minute instrumental
Faith, where a constant frustrating cymbal like rhythm is repeated over and over. I simply don't understand why they have made it this way, it's driving me crazy. The melodic guitar is working well though.
In
Escape a more up-tempo pace is used which fits nicely with the melody. Here the vocals are just sung too fast and do not sound especially good. The drums are very interesting and varied.
This is one of the best songs, featuring a melodic chorus, a great moody piano/key slow part and some cool progressive passages.
The musicians all have something of quality to offer. Even though I find the vocals a bit thin at times, they, on the other hand fit pretty well in other passages. The guitars are well played and display some interesting riffs here and there. The keyboard creates some atmospheric moments, and is one of the best working instruments. The drums do their job, and once in a while become more interesting. That also goes for the bass, which once in a while engages in something pretty technical.
The main problem is that there is too far between the really interesting stuff, so it rarely becomes more that average.
The overall lyrical universe is spanning themes about inner struggle, confusion, breaking free and starting over, they are acceptable in quality without being exiting.
The production is, apart from the computer noises, tight and well balanced, even though it can appear a bit vague at times.
The album has some good progressive elements, but it just becomes a bit monotone in length. So overall I rate this an OK album.
Written by
Tommy Wednesday, April 23, 2003
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