AFTERIMAGE (Progressive/Power Metal – Greece) – Album review for “II: Beyond Horizons Infinite” (June 3rd 2022, Steel Gallery) #Afterimage #AlbumReview
Album review written & submitted by Marian Nicolaou via Angels PR Worldwide Music Promotion – Thank you!!!
Once more the Greek power/progressive scene steals the show, with another great work. This time the Afterimage are in the spotlight with their album, “II: Beyond Horizons Infinite”, that was released earlier this summer.
Four years after their debut, the Syros Island based group returns with their new line-up that has a third guitar and plenty of new sonic options and ways to create powerful sound. Judging, now, by the result presented, the Afterimage were right to add another guitar, since the musical foreground that is created in the “II: Beyond Horizon Infinite” feels like a massive, unbreakable musical wall. It is a force that combines the progressive sound and groove with the epic and melodic elements of power metal, in a delightful metal result.
The Afterimage in their sophomore work present a record with musical variety. The first two songs, the “Prelude” and the “Imagination Regenerated” work as an introduction, giving a taste of the Afterimage’s sound and musical approach, before we get into the main course that begins with the third track, entitled “Talisman”. It is the first track, after the beautiful “Prelude” and the fiery “Imagination Regenerated”, that shows the route that the Afterimage want to follow in this release. A blend of 80s and 90s power/progressive metal, inspired mainly by the U.S scene that can be traced back to bands like the Fates Warning, Psychotic Waltz and Crimson Glory, forms the outline inside of which the Afterimage develop their stunning sound. Still, some songs like the “Morgana” lean towards to a more pure U.S power sound, while others like the “Mirrors” and the “Nightingales” leave the power metal aside focusing on the progressive metal. Particularly, the “Mirrors” is one of the most unique sounding songs, with its beautiful, almost dreamy soundscapes creating a basis upon which a powerful progressive metal track is developed.
Speaking of particular songs, the closing track of the record, entitled “An Overture to the Mystic Arts” might be the highlight of the album. Don’t get me wrong, there is no lesser songs in the album, but I can’t help but choose a favorite. And this favorite is no other, than the unique “An Overture to Mystic Arts” that opens with an atmospheric, almost Pink Floyd-like intro with a metal twist, before it gives way to a heavy metal track influenced by the Iron Maiden, with galloping riffing and an epic, shredding solo. There is, also, a small acoustic interlude that creates a slightly haunting atmosphere, before the song returns back again to its heavy/power roots.
The “II: Beyond Horizons Infinite” is over an hour long, yet it doesn’t feel tiresome and you simply can’t get bored. Until the very last it keeps you hooked with its stunning compositions and fresh ideas, offering a great listening experience that you must not miss.
Label Official Page:
Band Pages:
https://afterimageweb.bandcamp.com/
https://instagram.com/afterimageweb/
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/Afterimageweb/
YouTube:
www.youtube.com/user/SteelGallery
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