MYTHERY – The Awakening Of The Beast
- Posted on 08-07-2013
Names seem to be at a premium in the metal business these days. Should I really be surprised that this Danish sextet who professes a love of symphonic progressive rock and metal would combine the myth and mystery words into their moniker? Not really… and yet their debut album "The Awakening of the Beast" is a split level affair- the first four songs separate from the 5 part title track that takes over 30 minutes plus to tell its story.
Employing a full time violinist with Michala Hoj as well as keyboardist Mikkel Rosenbeck, there is just as much Nightwish symphonic elements and Dream Theater dazzling passages going on as there are 70’s period Kansas, as the musicians play off of each other with dramatic lead roles. Check out the 6:29 "Pt.1- Overture" which instrumentally sets up the subsequent action, and it is evident these musicians have technical prowess and schooled skills at their respective instruments. "Pt.3- Awoken By The…" has more of the darker contrasts, with vocalist Laurits Emanuel taking on many roles as this appears to be the dramatic turn of the story, subtle-off time drum tempo and guitar riffs contrasting in the lead break against Mikkel’s arpeggio ivory twists and Simon Rabenhoj’s axe soloing. Of the four individual songs that open the record, "Epoch of Destruction" catches my attention the most with its stair-step keyboard/ guitar interplay as the violin weaves in and out- one that should be pleasing to progressive metal fans as well as those into Nightwish.
Overall, "The Awakening of the Beast" is a debut album that has its great points, but work still needs to be done in other areas (especially vocally, as Laurits has trouble sustaining trailing notes convincingly) to get Mythery up to headlining status. Potential is present, so keep an open mind and I think you’ll be surprised by the cross-pollination on display.
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