Six Minute Century
Wasting Time
Nightmare Records
2013
Six Minute Century hail from Texas and are a power metal band, which has been around since 2004. Their style is basically power metal, with luscious harmonies and a vocalist in Chuck Williams that must have John Arch above his bed, praying to him each night before he goes to sleep.
The style is highly reminiscent of early Fates Warning, mainly because of Williams’s over the top style, because musically the band, is a little more modernist than the strictly old school Fates, with keys creating moods that are more akin to say Kamelot, but without going symphonic. Also while their rhythm section is pretty good, the drum sound achieved on this album is pretty thin, quite high in the mix and can become a little annoying, which is a shame, as the playing is far from bad.
The album kicks off with “1900” a 2 minute, instrumental intro, that’s mainly string/key laden that leads to “City of Hope” a fast paced track that acts as the real opener for the album. Williams manages to impress as he takes on the vocal challenges – head on, climbing higher and higher. The slight prog tendencies, lend also a more lyrical air to the proceedings... on this 2 part combo about the 1900 Galveston storm/flood that claimed the lives of a few thousand people on the shores of Texas.
“Just Remains” is equally impressive with guitarist DonLaFon taking a more active role with his insistent riffing. Another decent chorus, manages to keep the interest high.
The following “Killing Fields” that begins with a drum barrage and a flurry of notes, has a rather archetypal riff that follows and some slight breakdowns that are pretty standard, but while it could have been more interesting, its seven plus minutes of length and its rather not so enthusiastic chorus that seems more as just another verse, becomes a little overbearing.
“Baptized in Flames” has Williams against some soft keys, for quite a bit before a riff kicks in. It’s quite lyrical and manages to at least offer some variety. It’s not amazing, but also not a throwaway track either.
“Paying Deaths” is weird to say the least, with its over the top approach and delivery, bizarre riffing and really off the wall vocals that seem more than a scale exercise rather than proper singing. It’s not as bad as I just made it sound, it fact, some might enjoy the “exotic” approach, but it’s definitely an acquired taste.
“Czardas” is a bizarre instrumental, mostly based on bass. With Michael Millsap the band’s bassist (nicknamed Dr.Froth) really going apeshit, past 1:40 but in a very classical and humoristic way.
It’s the band’s bass man that also lays down the intro for the apocalyptic “Last Days In Paradise”. This apparently is a song that could have been better – but leaves me with the impression that it was left a little unfinished? Or at least was hurried? There are long instrumental passages between the verses and somehow the whole song falls apart at the seams.
“Needham’s Point” apparently named after some place on the coastline of The Barbados islands, tells a story of mystery! (supposedly?!) Too bad it’s not about the missing panties of pop-sensation Rihanna! Now that would be a mystery I’d go into great depths to solve! (Haha!) Well it’s a decent track with a couple of really good moments, but it doesn’t entirely convince in its six plus minutes entirety…
“Defining Moment” is even sloppier, as the guitars, do some classical variation, over which vocals are set and it’s saving grace are some vocal lines that are chanted after that, pretty much without accompaniment or with only a simple riff against them.
I have no idea what the hell, “Hell’s Gate” is all about, as there are many “places” around the world nick named like that, but there are some “movie-like” dialogues before the song and there has also been a novel by that name (which I have not read). It’s decent, but again nothing, awe inspiring.
Finally there’s the album’s namesake “Wasting Time” clocking at almost seven minutes, monotonous as hell, with a main riff repeated over and over (and over) some many times, that once the solo comes, you think it’s some sort of #$#$#$@@# apocalypse! Following that there’s also a bit of a finale, that is not exactly, grand, but rather unexpected.
All in all, Six Minute Century are a bunch of pretty talented musicians and their sophomore album contains some pretty awesome songs in the vein of early Fates Warning, with a twist. It’s just their compositions they will need to work a little more on, as apart from 3-4 really great songs, the rest seem to be somewhat lacking behind, even though the band has a plethora of good ideas and pretty good chops. Oh and production, can always improve, leading to better scores. But I’m pretty sure, that we’ll definitely hear more about these guys, down the line... it would be a shame if we don’t!
The style is highly reminiscent of early Fates Warning, mainly because of Williams’s over the top style, because musically the band, is a little more modernist than the strictly old school Fates, with keys creating moods that are more akin to say Kamelot, but without going symphonic. Also while their rhythm section is pretty good, the drum sound achieved on this album is pretty thin, quite high in the mix and can become a little annoying, which is a shame, as the playing is far from bad.
The album kicks off with “1900” a 2 minute, instrumental intro, that’s mainly string/key laden that leads to “City of Hope” a fast paced track that acts as the real opener for the album. Williams manages to impress as he takes on the vocal challenges – head on, climbing higher and higher. The slight prog tendencies, lend also a more lyrical air to the proceedings... on this 2 part combo about the 1900 Galveston storm/flood that claimed the lives of a few thousand people on the shores of Texas.
“Just Remains” is equally impressive with guitarist DonLaFon taking a more active role with his insistent riffing. Another decent chorus, manages to keep the interest high.
The following “Killing Fields” that begins with a drum barrage and a flurry of notes, has a rather archetypal riff that follows and some slight breakdowns that are pretty standard, but while it could have been more interesting, its seven plus minutes of length and its rather not so enthusiastic chorus that seems more as just another verse, becomes a little overbearing.
“Baptized in Flames” has Williams against some soft keys, for quite a bit before a riff kicks in. It’s quite lyrical and manages to at least offer some variety. It’s not amazing, but also not a throwaway track either.
“Paying Deaths” is weird to say the least, with its over the top approach and delivery, bizarre riffing and really off the wall vocals that seem more than a scale exercise rather than proper singing. It’s not as bad as I just made it sound, it fact, some might enjoy the “exotic” approach, but it’s definitely an acquired taste.
“Czardas” is a bizarre instrumental, mostly based on bass. With Michael Millsap the band’s bassist (nicknamed Dr.Froth) really going apeshit, past 1:40 but in a very classical and humoristic way.
It’s the band’s bass man that also lays down the intro for the apocalyptic “Last Days In Paradise”. This apparently is a song that could have been better – but leaves me with the impression that it was left a little unfinished? Or at least was hurried? There are long instrumental passages between the verses and somehow the whole song falls apart at the seams.
“Needham’s Point” apparently named after some place on the coastline of The Barbados islands, tells a story of mystery! (supposedly?!) Too bad it’s not about the missing panties of pop-sensation Rihanna! Now that would be a mystery I’d go into great depths to solve! (Haha!) Well it’s a decent track with a couple of really good moments, but it doesn’t entirely convince in its six plus minutes entirety…
“Defining Moment” is even sloppier, as the guitars, do some classical variation, over which vocals are set and it’s saving grace are some vocal lines that are chanted after that, pretty much without accompaniment or with only a simple riff against them.
I have no idea what the hell, “Hell’s Gate” is all about, as there are many “places” around the world nick named like that, but there are some “movie-like” dialogues before the song and there has also been a novel by that name (which I have not read). It’s decent, but again nothing, awe inspiring.
Finally there’s the album’s namesake “Wasting Time” clocking at almost seven minutes, monotonous as hell, with a main riff repeated over and over (and over) some many times, that once the solo comes, you think it’s some sort of #$#$#$@@# apocalypse! Following that there’s also a bit of a finale, that is not exactly, grand, but rather unexpected.
All in all, Six Minute Century are a bunch of pretty talented musicians and their sophomore album contains some pretty awesome songs in the vein of early Fates Warning, with a twist. It’s just their compositions they will need to work a little more on, as apart from 3-4 really great songs, the rest seem to be somewhat lacking behind, even though the band has a plethora of good ideas and pretty good chops. Oh and production, can always improve, leading to better scores. But I’m pretty sure, that we’ll definitely hear more about these guys, down the line... it would be a shame if we don’t!