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Elegacy > Impressions > Reviews
Elegacy - Impressions

Good that the label problems got resolved - 93%

Necrobobsledder, January 25th, 2006

Before I say anything else, let me just utter a sigh of congratulatory satisfaction and praise for Elegacy for finally getting this album out to the masses. I haven't been awaiting it for eons or anything, but its delay seems to have been a big snafu that had everyone squirming with anticipation and irritation. Luckily, the wait has paid off because this is a damn fine album, made even more fine by the fact that this is their debut. It never ceases to amaze me when a band can crank out such a polished, sophisticated offering their first go-around. It's almost the equivalent of learning how to ride a bike instantly or mastering a technical computer program at a moment's notice.

Anyhow, what really strikes me about this record is that it's progressive metal with somewhat of a power metal flair. Don't get me wrong...it's not progressive power metal like Symphony X. That's a totally different ballgame. Instead, the guitar maintains a light, airy tone often indicative of progressive in the established since, yet double-bass and power metal speed seems to rear their heads a few times. Furthermore, jacking off on/with the guitar is kept to a minimum. They know not to ruin good music and musical equipment with semen.(This is a pun, obviously. I think you can figure it out.)

Oh, I forgot to mention that the vocalist reminds me of power metal at times too. There is no consistent use of falsetto vocals or castrato vocals(or whatever the hell you want to call them) but you can hear traces of them, especially in "Sign of the Phoenix". He's not that trailblazing as a singer, but he certainly gets the job done.

The level of playing on this album is pretty intense and technical, with most songs clocking in at around 5 minutes or under(with the exception of the opening track), and if you ask me it serves them well to keep things short and sweet. I've been noticing many bands lately that seem to have awfully long songs, and I can say that you're always taking a gamble by cranking out magnificent, extended opuses. You've really gotta have faith in your songwriting abilities to do that...if you don't, then a load of yawns is headed your way, professionally speaking.

Also, to break from the intensity, there are a couple of very nice ballads, which are always good to hear on this type of album(just like short interludes are nice to hear on a brutal death metal album), if you ask me. They provide great emotional contrast and give the listener a chance to catch his or her breath.

What can I say?...another debut album that deserves to be inducted into the Debut Album Hall of Fame, along with Apotheosis's Farthest From the Sun, Gory Blister's Art Bleeds, and many others. Buy now.