Eyes Wide Open - Official Website
Aftermath |
Sweden
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Review by Anna on February 24, 2010.
Aside from my generally low expectations from bands I haven't heard of and approved, I wasn't expecting any level of musical brilliance upon initial judgment of this album's cover or project logo. Although, as if a narcotic had self-activated in my system, I was soon hit with the realization that I'd very possibly been sent a semi-precious gem of an album. "Skullreader" is the debut output from Sun Of The Blind, solo project of Zhaaral of a band called Darkspace.
The sound can be described as bleak and thoroughly atmospheric, otherworldly, often hypnotic, and unlike many of its free-form counterparts, energizing. A coma-inducing wall of sound created by the warm fuzz of guitars, synths, and screams come together, without competition, creating a creamy, responsive consistency that surrounds you like a cloud of cosmic dust, drawing you within its trance-like vibration. Sonic guitars wail secrets of another realm, transcending space and initiating a heightened form of communication directly with its listener, unraveling a message that is direct, esoteric, and enlightening. The guitar work on this album I feel is ingenious, not least in its technicality but its voice, and seems not to be inspired by any world tradition, but from the journeys of a traveled soul. Downsides to this work would be the over-structuring of the first track, which goes against the decided agenda of the collective as a whole. The piecing together of this particular track could have been done more smoothly, in any case.
Another move I feel was a needless mistake was the appearance of the "ethereal" female voice. Even this massive wall of fuzz could not have masked the poor vocalizations and inability of the subject to sustain the proper note. Although- and you will rarely hear me say this, any disagreements become minor and soon forgiven if not forgotten as the rest of the album is ushered in, flushing out the questionable and creating a transcendent bliss within my conscious.
I highly recommend this to the small underground of complex souls who seek deeper meaning within the beauty of atmosphere. Immerse thyself.
Categorical Rating Breakdown
Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 10
Production: 6.8
Originality: 9.5
Overall: 9
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
Review by Monika on March 27, 2014.
I don’t know what it is about listening to music in the car. Is it that I can enjoy it by myself, for myself, the way I like it…. And accelerate even more than I'm already going. Eyes Wide Open came up in the player. Oh, man.
Aftermath is the first full album for these gentlemen from Sweden, following their EP that I have yet to hear (read: abuse in my CD player). Before I start my praises, I must say – the opening track should be the last one. It should be the one that lets you take a breather, lets you slow down, wind down. It was a track that caught me off-guard, because it was too calm for me, too soothing. Then, what came next was quite a tasty feast of music, vocals ranging from growling to clear, soaring singing, combined with a powerful, fast, rhythmic, up-tempo songs that made my little dark soul happy, oh so happy. The cover could not have been made any better to reflect what this album is about – about breaking away, breaking free. “New World Order.” Perfect. One idea kept throughout the lyrics, reinforced with strong graphic, and the band name such as Eyes Wide Open – those boys are ready to make their stand known in the world of Metal. The album is, overall, great; it is a well thought-out release. And it is an album that is literally requesting for the following albums to raise the bar.
Do I absolutely love this album? Yes. Is it something brand new that I have not heard before? No. But they seem to have created something that is very hard to come by in the nowadays popular genre of melodic death metal. They do stand out amongst many others that are trying. Music is not overpowering, vocals are excellent, mixing is right where it should be, every part of the composition has its righteous force, and it all is just freaking awesome. I foresee a bright future for Eyes Wide Open – and I suggest that you keep your ears wide open for what they are about to bring.
Categorical Rating Breakdown
Musicianship: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 9
Originality: 7.5
Overall: 8.5
Rating: 8.3 out of 10
Review by Monika on March 27, 2014.
I don’t know what it is about listening to music in the car. Is it that I can enjoy it by myself, for myself, the way I like it…. And accelerate even more than I'm already going. Eyes Wide Open came up in the player. Oh, man.
Aftermath is the first full album for these gentlemen from Sweden, following their EP that I have yet to hear (read: abuse in my CD player). Before I start my praises, I must say – the opening track should be the last one. It should be the one that lets you take a breather, lets you slow down, wind down. It was a track that caught me off-guard, because it was too calm for me, too soothing. Then, what came next was quite a tasty feast of music, vocals ranging from growling to clear, soaring singing, combined with a powerful, fast, rhythmic, up-tempo songs that made my little dark soul happy, oh so happy. The cover could not have been made any better to reflect what this album is about – about breaking away, breaking free. “New World Order.” Perfect. One idea kept throughout the lyrics, reinforced with strong graphic, and the band name such as Eyes Wide Open – those boys are ready to make their stand known in the world of Metal. The album is, overall, great; it is a well thought-out release. And it is an album that is literally requesting for the following albums to raise the bar.
Do I absolutely love this album? Yes. Is it something brand new that I have not heard before? No. But they seem to have created something that is very hard to come by in the nowadays popular genre of melodic death metal. They do stand out amongst many others that are trying. Music is not overpowering, vocals are excellent, mixing is right where it should be, every part of the composition has its righteous force, and it all is just freaking awesome. I foresee a bright future for Eyes Wide Open – and I suggest that you keep your ears wide open for what they are about to bring.
Categorical Rating Breakdown
Musicianship: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 9
Originality: 7.5
Overall: 8.5
Rating: 8.3 out of 10