I’ve seen these guys live before and they are a must see if you ever get the chance. They are definitely true to the metal with their technical riffs and improvisations. To me they are like a mix between Iron Maiden, Dream Theater and Overkill. This particular album has been out for a while now, since 2006 to be exact. They’ve put as much effort into its packaging as they have its content. There’s a detailed 20 page booklet with an immaculate layout. Honestly, it’s the perfect example of how a CD sleeve should be!
The CD itself gets my thumbs up as alot of bands tend to have just pictures on the actual CD these days and don’t place their info on it. So that can become a real bitch trying to work out which CD goes into what case sometimes but these guys have thought outside the box and printed their info around the hole so their picture doesn’t get obstructed. Seriously, anyone looking for a prime example of how to create and display their CD should check out Transcending Mortality’s ‘The Last Horizon’. According to the cover, Ingrid Houtcieff gets the credit for this one.
Beyond Remembrance: Technical riffs, clean vocals, creative lyrics and atmosphere. It’s a long track, 09:12 but it serves them well.
“There’s a secret that we keep, Dwelling in our darkest depths, And it preys upon the weak, Craving all our dreams and fears…”
Into The Light: A faster track with an essence of medieval warfare in there somehow. This is the kind of track that you grow up with wishing you too could play that kind of guitar!
“Day turns to dusk, skies veiled black and shadows fall, In a spiral of twisting fate I crawl, Descent begins, a sense of madness burns within, I am a slave, unto sin…”
The Spiral: This one is more paced and prone to changes. You gotta love the extra little guitar bits they throw in.
“Into the spiral of lost hope and shattered dreams, My will to be divided at the seams, Beneath the surface, a light that burned so bright, Flickers away this is a losing fight…”
Veil Of Midnight:There’s a good atmospheric lead within this track; very Egyptian sounding but not over emphasising it so it blends well.
“She takes my hand and leads me to the endless sands, of these desert lands, She feeds my mind from dust I’m blind, can’t see, where she’s leading me…”
Twilight:Another timely track, 08:04 with a beautiful introduction. This track definitely lures you in. It manages to sustain its atmosphere and story. I’d go as far to say my favourite track on this CD.
“The sun is falling, chasing shadows on the ground, As the twilight begins, And from the starlight, till the edge of time, The glowing embers aflame…”
The Dawn Of Defeat: With a length of 08:05, this one is filled with technical, but memorable riffs. It’s uplifting and overall a catchy track!
“The dawn of defeat is growing near, The weak will fail, the strong will prevail, Your dreams, are crushed in the cold hands of time…”
Last Horizon:Longest track on the CD; 09:57. Whether it’s the duration or its musical essence I’m unsure, but it tends to lose you within it. It has a good, heavy intro and a very ‘brotherhood’ feel to it. It’s as if the hoards are galloping over the fields; conquering, defending. It’s a good end to the album.
“In the dead of night we’ve seen the sign, of daylight’s fall, Now upon the edge we stand and pray, tomorrow won’t be our last day, The flaming death or mornings’ star, we cannot see, The burning hand upon our sun, It’s taking our lives again…”
Review by Déa di Morté © 08 Feb 2008
All pictures and lyrical extracts courtesy of Transcending Mortality and Metal Evilution