Ethernity
Obscure Illusions
Independent Release
2015
Ethernity is a progressive power metal band from Belgium founded in 2000 by Julien Spreutels (keyboards) and Nicolas Spreutels (drums). They were quickly joined the two friends of theirs: Steve Widart and Thomas Henry on guitars and their cousin, Francois Spreutels on bass. It took them a while of searching, to come up with a singer though, until they stumbled upon Julie Colin a young lady that did seem to fit the style of the band, but didn’t rely on “ethereal” deliveries, but rather, out and out rock/metal belting. She’s been with them ever since. In late 2006 the band released their debut, “The Journey” a self-produced affair, and shortly thereafter, decided to part ways with Steve and welcome Gregory Discenza as their new lead guitarist. This is also their current line-up. The also released an EP in 2008 and a single in 2010, with some songs from those, being reprised on this “new” second album of theirs.
The band seems to combine, melody with some more dark and aggressive moments and a few prog/classical elements. Without straying much from a typical metal sound, they add a bit of variation, without sounding like a hapless rip-off of say Nightwish, or any of “those” bands... if anything they sound like a better, more interesting and harder edged Edenbridge but that would probably be selling them short.
On songs like the escalating opener “False Lamentations” that slowly unveils its splendor, the epic “Rancor” or the tender, baladesque, “After All Has Turned to Pain”, but also all the song, more or less, the band manages to stand it’s ground. On “XIII (Thirteen)”, (not sure if it’s inspired by the semi-famous graphic novel or not), the band up the ante a bit, with a more aggressive and metallic approach and a way more passionate and cinematic, atmosphere and performances by all involved.
Last but not least and following a minute long “Interlude” (falling rain and some narration) is the fourteen and a half minute long, title track “Obscure Illusions”, which remarkably manages to keep things interesting for most of its duration, even with the long instrumental passages that most, certainly present themselves. The addition of 3 guests, leather lunged and highly theatrical Kelly Sundown Carpenter (Darkology, Outworld, Beyond Twilight), who’s currently a Belgian resident as well, the dark and ever present, wallowing Tom Englund (Evergrey), who soothes things, in between Kelly’s rapturous parts and the relatively lesser known Mark Basile (DGM, ex Mind Key), who seems to be falling in between them and thickening the performances further, this feels like a mini – opera, with each vocalist, carrying the story, further down the line. An impressive – (“not little” by any means) piece, indeed!
Overall, Ethernity present themselves as a young but very promising power metal band, who are capable of interesting if not great things, should they keep going at this rate. Most certainly worth a listen…
The band seems to combine, melody with some more dark and aggressive moments and a few prog/classical elements. Without straying much from a typical metal sound, they add a bit of variation, without sounding like a hapless rip-off of say Nightwish, or any of “those” bands... if anything they sound like a better, more interesting and harder edged Edenbridge but that would probably be selling them short.
On songs like the escalating opener “False Lamentations” that slowly unveils its splendor, the epic “Rancor” or the tender, baladesque, “After All Has Turned to Pain”, but also all the song, more or less, the band manages to stand it’s ground. On “XIII (Thirteen)”, (not sure if it’s inspired by the semi-famous graphic novel or not), the band up the ante a bit, with a more aggressive and metallic approach and a way more passionate and cinematic, atmosphere and performances by all involved.
Last but not least and following a minute long “Interlude” (falling rain and some narration) is the fourteen and a half minute long, title track “Obscure Illusions”, which remarkably manages to keep things interesting for most of its duration, even with the long instrumental passages that most, certainly present themselves. The addition of 3 guests, leather lunged and highly theatrical Kelly Sundown Carpenter (Darkology, Outworld, Beyond Twilight), who’s currently a Belgian resident as well, the dark and ever present, wallowing Tom Englund (Evergrey), who soothes things, in between Kelly’s rapturous parts and the relatively lesser known Mark Basile (DGM, ex Mind Key), who seems to be falling in between them and thickening the performances further, this feels like a mini – opera, with each vocalist, carrying the story, further down the line. An impressive – (“not little” by any means) piece, indeed!
Overall, Ethernity present themselves as a young but very promising power metal band, who are capable of interesting if not great things, should they keep going at this rate. Most certainly worth a listen…