Danzig, Depeche Mode, Opeth, Type O Negative, Lacuna Coil, Dream Theater, Dimmu Borgir, Soilwork, Evergrey, Nine Inch Nails, Pain Of Salvation, Old Man's Child, GWAR, Yanni, Necrophagist, Faith No More, Nightwish, Katatonia, Emperor, Tori Amos, Radiohead, Rammstein, Stabbing Westward, The Gathering, James Horner, Hans Zimmer
Sounds Like
Dream Theater, Pain Of Salvation, Depeche Mode, Type O Negative, Opeth, Soilwork, Katatonia, Evergrey, Paradise Lost, Lacuna Coil, Yanni, James Horner
For more information, please visit the ENVINITY website at: WWW.ENVINITY.ORG
Empyreal Progeny
(2004)
Now only $5.00!
Sweet Painful Reality
(2002)
Now only $5.00!
EMPYREAL PROGENY REVIEW
By Joel Steudler / www.RayGunsOfDeath.com
The dreaded 'sophomore jinx' is a term used in sports (which, for our more sedentary readers, are contests of physical dexterity often involving a ball-like apparatus). It describes a player having a disappointing second year after an outstanding debut. This can happen in music, as well, and it takes outstanding talent to avoid such a pitfall. Lucky for us, Envinity is posessed of abundant abilities and a deft knack for writing gripping progressive goth-metal. Empyreal Progeny builds on the sound they established in their 2002 debut Sweet Painful Reality and carries listeners on a maudlin -but never mopey- march around the bases.
Speaking of bases, Envinity covers them all by incorporating elements from numerous genres into a distinctive blend which ensures you won't mistake them for any run of the mill goth-rockers. Empyreal Progeny has a strong progressive component that yields complex guitar riffing and delicate drum patterns laced with jangling synthesizers. The guitar work here is much stronger than on their debut, and is helped tremendously by crisp, bright production: full of bite and vitality. This sonic clarity leaves plenty of space for ringing synth arpeggios to chime in and lend the music an exotic edge. It also provides ample room for Niko to ply his vocal trade.
Niko's singing keeps the album's progressive flights of fancy grounded in trademark gothic handwringing, lending gravity and pathos to what otherwise might be mistaken for darker than average prog metal. Indeed, his clean, evocative vocals provide an emotional core to the album around which the other sounds revolve. Far from being a gothic gloomy gus, Niko seems determined to soldier on through his worrisome angst. A distant hopefulness pervades his lyrics. Things might be bleak now, but they're not going to hold him down for long. He even busts out a pseudo-metal-snarl every now and then, further varying the vocal soundscape.
Coupled with tuneful and catchy riffs, Niko's vocals paint pictures with a dark but vibrant gothic palette. These grim portraits are brightened and highlighted by the exquisite (and sometimes ass-kicking) progressive metal arrangements. Envinity's smooth presentation and strong songwriting is sure to win over listeners from all walks of dark music fandom. Their technical merits should also please aficionados of instrumental prowess. About the only thing missing on Empyreal Progeny is a dancing bear... and really, after thinking about it, I'm not so sure that would be an improvement. No 'spohomore jinx' here: Envinity has hit a home run. If there's any justice in the music world, some major label will shortly be heaping piles of money on them. Until then, head to Envinity's website and purchase this must-have album.
IN REGARDS TO COMMENTS: Any blatant spam comments, ads, or "jus showin sum luv" etc will be deleted with voracity. Don't waste your time if the comment has nothing to do with Envinity.
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Colorado Music Buzz Magazine and Indie 101.5 present THE VON BONDIES, with special guests REXWAY - DJ HOT TO DEATH featuring YONNAS of THE PIRATE SIGNAL and the next big deal in town, THE BEST RESPONSE! Get your tickets @ www.HARMONYDenver.com or at your local King Soopers!
kick ass, your music makes me want to eat the skin off of someone's face, and then puke it up and wear it as my own face, so keep rocking;] Hope to roll with you on some concerts! Let's meet in a sticky sweaty club and praise the lord of rock'n'roll;) Cheers!!!
Great to hear about the supportive reception from friends and family. Now when do we get to hear the damn album! ...but seriously I'm really looking forward to buying a copy, your last two albums were great
You guys are a huge inspiration to me and possibly others, more than you may realize. I thank you for writing such beautiful music. Keep writing your hearts out. :)
I see your point. Speaking of which, as of 2007, 33% of the US is made up of minorities. This includes racial, political, alternative lifestyles and religion. This is a great thing. Hopefully, this will help undo 8 years of right wing repression. Cheers! Dina
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