Aeon Zen - The Face Of The Unknown (2010)

×

Aeon Zen - The Face Of The Unknown (2010)

Close

Aeon Zen are a progressive rock/metal band formed in 2008, led by the only permanent member, vocalist, guitarist, bassist, keyboard player and drummer Rich Hinks.
The music of Aeon Zen naturally points out to the music of Ayreon, Danielle Liverani’s Genius and even Avantasia. The similarities are probably caused by the fact that these ‘bands’ are the brainchild of one very gifted multi-instrumentalist, using the vocal skills of some of the most talented vocalists in the genre. The combination of Rich Hinks’ great compositions and the diversity of these vocalists, make this an album that easily can compete with the aforementioned artists, or better: it exceeds some of the albums made by those well-known names.
Hinks wrote the songs with the singer of his choice in mind, which means that these songs suit these singers very well. Salvation and The Heart Of The Sun are vocally supported by the Norwegian singer Michael Eriksen, who derives his fame of the great band Circus Maximus. Salvation is an over ten-minute epic that opens the album. By switching moods Rich Hinks is creating some fantastic atmosphere here and the power drumming, together with the frantic riffing makes this the perfect song to start with. The other song Michael is involved in, seems to be more relaxed, the vocals stand out perfectly and the fierce guitar solo make this song a progressive melodic one to sing along with. Swedish Andi Kravijaca, normally fronting the band Silent Call, is also taking care of two songs. The first is Visions, a progressive metal song, which suits his voice perfectly. This track also features Matt Shepherd with a heavy guitar solo. The second is the title track, a complex song with heavy riffing, staccato drumming that leads to a stunning bluesy solo and an astonishing guest performance of Christian van Schuerbeck.
Spock’s Beard’s Nick D’Virgilio is the vocalist on the almost acoustically sounding Crystal Skies, but after a while it gets electrified and turns out to be a complex atmospheric, though pleasant song to listen to. Natural Selection follows and has Jem Godfrey, well-known from Frost, as an outstanding vocalist. Godfrey has a very strict way of singing and together with the heavy riffing and the fabulous solos it’s definitely worth listening to. Johnny Tatum, lead singer of Eumeria, takes Redemption’s Shadow, a fast mood and speed changing song, which contains great piano playing. A mind-blowing solo gives this piece a bit of a Pain Of Salvation-touch. Together with Rich he also sings a duet on My Sacrifice, a more industrial song, with a heavy riffing guitar though still a very progressive metal song.