EMPYRIA - THE LONG ROAD HOME
NIGHTMARE RECORDS
Metal To Infinity
Empyria,
4 guys that hails us from Canada… never heard of them in the past but as so
many times before, Myspace.com showed us their alley. Shame on me this is my
first contact with Empyria because of the cold hard fact these guys offering
Metal music for at least 18 years, created several demo’s / albums, travelled
many roads to get their kicks on stage,… my apologies to the band for not
being in touch more in former days – this time is the right time for me and
I’d like to share my thoughts about their latest output “The Long Road
Home”.
Released by the American based, ultimate Progressive Metal label Nightmare Records – the album sounds just awesome! This is a product, actually the evidence / reward of a band being busy making music as decent as possible for such a long time . Maybe the biggest problem of so many upcoming bands is that loads of them to start a band with the most highest expectations… unfortunately, when the results aren’t that well as hoped on, they give up the fight even the period of existence is minimal. Start a band, play the best you can but don’t give up so fast… good example to this is the band Empyria - almost two decades in Metal music fighting to stay alive and kicking!
“The Long Road Home”
shows a band in extremely good condition – stand sharp with full attention and
enjoy approximately three quarters of excellent Progressive / Power Metal as it
should be. I really do like Progressive Metal but please – reduce the keyboard
use to the minimum if it’s possible. Too much keys and I can’t hold up my
full attention – Empyria served me entirely on that so who’s the lucky
bastard here?
Great vocals taking me by
the throat right on, totally clear voice sometimes taking a somekinda high pitch
alley and I just love it! Co-operation between bass and guitar players are real
good, pure technical skills with melodic leads that will please shred guitar
freaks undoubtedly. Behind the drumkit sits a man who has a tremendous feel for
detailed perfection. As a real pro, knocking his skins on the right place and
moment!
Listening to the entire
album, I’ve got the intention to hear mainly influences of Queensryche and
Fates Warning – at the other hands I’d like to compare with other greats
like Pownd, Katagory V and Translucent Existence too and according to myself,
Empyria can take these comparisons as a sincere compliment!
First smack in the head is
the song ‘False Witness’, Phil Leite unique vocals on the foreground, a bit
dominating but in perfect harmony with the rest of the used instruments. Early
Queensryche influences appear in the beginning of ‘No Other Way’. This track shows the other side of the band and comes
on strong with pure technical full progressive minded. To be honest, I'm feeling
much better with next ‘Lonely People’ – more power loaded incl.
outstanding guitar duties, Hell Yeah! ‘Last Rites’ starts nice and easy but
turns out into a beautiful US Metal song… total satisfaction for my ears,
heart and soul. ‘Of All The Dreams’ brings on catchy melodies and with
a song like ‘Without Within’ I'm feeling real good again. Empyria's album
“The Long Road Home” ends up in an incredible beautiful way. ‘Returning
Home’ is the name and has a running time of 7 minutes. This one brings
me in a comfortable position all over and shows (once again) a band in upper
good condition... very important point – Empyria knows how to offer
Progressive / Power Metal in a very attractive manner.
Excellent and powerful production with a
futuristic but awesome looking cover / back artwork… honestly and sincere,
“The Long Road Home” is a fantastic piece of Prog / Power Metal that should
be picked up by both US and Progressive Power Metal addicts. Great vocals,
excellent song structures, technical skills, sometimes catchy – sometimes hard
to the bone… go check them out and order right on (see this as a good advice!).
www.myspace.com/empyria
MY POINTS: 92 / 100 (Review by Stefan)