Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 09/12/2006
The
Nirvana/
Pearl Jam/
grunge/
alternative rock upheaval of the early '90s didn't obliterate all types of '70s and '80s
rock, but it did marginalize many of them in a big way. And if you were the sort of
progressive metal artist who enjoyed writing about dwarves, fairies, dragons and pixies, your lyrics became very anachronistic in a world where
alternative rock reigned supreme. But anachronistic or not,
fantasy-based
prog metal never disappeared; it flew under the radar but maintained a cult following well into the 2000s (especially in Europe), and
fantasy is definitely the name of the game on
Anthropia's science fiction-drenched
The Ereyn Chronicles, Part 1: The Journey of Beginnings. Lyrically, this very conceptual effort is as stereotypical as it gets; blacksmith dwarves, nymphs, a succubus (no, her name isn't
Ann Coulter), dragons and a talking horse are among the characters who appear in this epic tale. And not only is this French
prog metal act oblivious to
alt-rock lyrically; they are oblivious to it musically as well. The influences on
The Ereyn Chronicles, Part 1 range from
Dream Theater,
Iron Maiden,
Manowar and
Yngwie Malmsteen to
Rush,
Yes,
Kansas,
Genesis and
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and there are Euro-
classical overtones as well. No listeners will actually relate to the lyrics; again,
Anthropia are -- like so many '70s and '80s bands -- selling pure
fantasy and total escapism, and they are good at what they do. This is a likable, generally well-crafted disc -- a bit uneven, but well done for the most part. And while music this
fantasy-based and sci-fi-minded is not everyone's cup of tea,
The Ereyn Chronicles, Part 1: The Journey of Beginnings is worth hearing if one is a die-hard
prog metal enthusiast in search of pure, unadulterated escapism.
~Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
;)
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