Ephel Duath - Hemmed by Darkness, Shaped by Light (2013)
Agonia Records
Review by Trevor Proctor
Hailing from Padova in Northern Italy,
Ephel Duath are pioneers of Italian progressive metal, their music is a bizarre
blend of many different influences including avante garde, progressive rock and
metal. This is their first full length release since their 2009 album “Through
My Dog’s Eyes” apart from last year’s EP “On Death and Cosmos.” Eccentric
musician Davide Tiso is the only original member, with this line up being
constructed mainly with members joining post 2011, the most interesting
addition being Tiso’s wife, Karyn Crysis, to assume vocal duties.
Musically this album is quite a listen with
many diverse highlights but I must admit I struggle with Karyn’s vocal style;
at times her vocal performance feels strained and even painful as she meanders
between shouts, growls and attempted cleaner signing.
Opener “Feathers Under My Skin” is an
example, it starts with most promising guitar work accompanied by basic but
effective jazz style drumming – even to begin with the gruff, growled vocals
are listenable but when Crysis shifts from growling to shouting for me it
starts to detract from the music. Her vocals at times take over this track, but
not to good effect. There are excellent segments of music but Krysis’ vocals
just do not match the standard of the music, listen after listen prompts more
musical discoveries in the complexity of their music but unfortunately do not
do anything to improve my enjoyment of the vocals.
The third track, “When mind escapes flesh”
is another musical highlight its midpoint breakdown and subsequent guitar
work/solo are musical genius executed very, very well. However, this musical
journey is abruptly disturbed when the vocals return and Crysis resumes her screaming
duties.
“Within This Soil” again features some
phenomenal guitar work and solos throughout its duration, in fact, you’ll find
this to be the case during the entire album – musically it’s a phenomenal,
varied, exciting journey, but I think you know how I feel about the vocals and
shouldn’t have to finish this sentence…
No doubt many of you will think “He just
doesn’t get it” but believe me I don’t criticise music without giving it the
attention it deserves and admit that I’ve often been duped by excellent records
on first listen only to admit it’s excellence after subsequent listens.
Musically this has been the case with “Hemmed by…” as listen after listen
reveals more musical genius/madness but Karyn’s vocals didn’t “grow on me” in
any way – at times growls are effective and well placed but unfortunately more
often than not they sound forced and disjointed. Vocal style aside this is a
great album and definitely worth a listen due to the high levels of
musicianship.
Tracklist:
2.Tracing The Path of Blood
3.When Mind Escapes Flesh
4.Within This Soil
5.Those Gates to Nothing
6.Through Flames I Shield
7.Hemmed By Light
8.Shaped By Darkness
Hemmed by Light, Shaped by Darkness is released by Agonia Records on November 26th.
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