AGE OF NEMESIS

Dream Theater with less-acrobatic guitar solo

For those of you who adore Dream Theater, this the band that makes very good music in the vein of Dream Theater. The vocal of Zoltan Kiss is very similar with James LaBrie. Not only this, the music is in the same style with Dream Theater especially on guitar riffs and inventive keyboard work. The only thing different is that you rarely find Petrucci's acrobatic guitar solo in this album. It sounds like the keyboard player works very hard to cover-up the lack of guitar solo. The drumming is not bad but it's not as an inventive work like Portnoy. The first two tracks are energy-driven music in the vein of Dream Theater. 'Free of Life' (6:43) starts with an ambient nuance followed with heavy rhythm section with guitar riffs. 'Meeting With the Unbelievable' (8:07) is another excellent composition. At the third track 'The Land of Light' (6:24) offers something different using piano as intro part in mellow style followed with music in heavier style. This time the guitarist plays his solo quite longer than the previous tracks. Through this track you will find the vocal screams very similar like Labrie.

'Inferno' (4:08) offers good combination of keyboard, piano and guitar riffs in relatively fast tempo. The guitar solo explores in howling fashion. There are some symphonic nuance in the middle of the track. It's a nice instrumental track. 'Someone Must Take the Blame' (6:06) is another track that I like as well, especially in its keyboard work combined with guitar riffs, many style changes throughout the music. 'Plummeting Into Eternity' (8:55) concludes the album beautifully with a composition that blends nice melody, harmony and change of style in a cohesive way.

Overall, the melody of each song is very good especially when it's combined together as full music which results in good harmony. The music is quite complex as Dream Theater with frequent change of style between one segment to another and they all form as a cohesive whole. It's a MUST have if you like Dream Theater. Keep on proggin'...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

"Terra Incognita" is the 2nd full-length studio album, or rather a re-recorded version of the band´s 4th studio album from 2002 from when they were called Nemesis (also titled "Terra Incognita"), by Hungarian progressive metal act Age of Nemesis. The original 2002 version features Hungarian lyrics while the 2007 version features English lyrics. "Terra Incognita" was released by Magna Carta in January 2007.

The band play progressive metal in the Dream Theater keyboard laden style. There are also some strong references to an act like Queensrÿche on the album. Especially the vocals and the vocal lines point in that direction. We´re talking brilliant musicianship, strong compositions and a concept story told in the lyrics. There´s a slight accent to the singing but it´s nothing major. What the band lack on this album is a more original approach though. I wouldn´t exactly call the album generic but it´s not the kind of album where if I were presented to the music would be able to say: "hey that´s Age of Nemesis playing".

The production is very good and one of the things that score real high points in my book.

All in all "Terra Incognita" is a very professional sounding progressive metal album that is consistent and well played. It lacks an original sound but still a 3.5 star rating is warranted.

A few days ago there was a poll in one the forums in this website about Hungarian prog bands and our preferences. In that poll I said that I hadn't heard any Hungarian prog band but one, Age of Nemesis, whose album PSYCHOGEIST is the only piece of progressive-rock music from the Magyar land that I own. So it's only fitting that my hearing-cycle has coincidentally taken me to this disc again, giving me a chance to write a better-informed, current review of Age Of Nemesis' work.

First of all, as this is a mostly unknown band, let me say that Age Of Nemesis' music lies perfectly within the inner borders of what we called the progressive-metal genre. When I say "inner borders" what I mean is that this band really doesn't push any boundaries nor tries to break into other genres, but plays completely safe, totally traditional progressive metal. Power chords, riffs, sudden stops, double bass, zigzagging rhythms, every usual element of the genre can be found in this Hungarian group's music.

The musicians themselves are skilled, if not incredibly so. Nagy, the drummer, is probably the best instrumentalist in the band, alongside Fabian, the creator of most of the songs. Nagy (the keyboard player) and Krecsmarik (the bass player) are competent enough to play difficult, fast music. Kiss, the vocalist, sometimes sounds great and sometimes sounds very weak. His tonal voice lies somewhere in between the style of Dream Theater's LaBrie and that of Tate (Queensryche) but nowhere near the melodic capabilities of the former nor near the powerful strength of the latter. Just an average singer.

And average is the best word to describe PSYCHOGEIST. The album is divided in two: the first section contains six songs which form the suite that gives the album its name, a kind of conceptual-mini-album where the first and last songs share the same chorus. The remainder of the album is made of five songs, two of them instrumental pieces, in very much the same style as the "Psychogeist" Suite. The problem is that we can't find anything good to remember from either section. Sure, there are a couple of good solos here, a couple of good rhythmic sections there, but nothing stays in your mind, as everything sounds too generic. This is one of those Dream Theater-like bands that, curiously, have given the original band a bad name, for inspiring such a big array of copy-cats and clones. Age of Nemesis is almost a complete clone, the DNA in its cells almost the same as in DT's, but without any of the magic, the melody, the virtuosity, nor the power of the New York formation. The music is so mundane progressive-metal that I can't even pick up a single song to highlight, as none have any memorable chorus or solo or verse or anything. It's just by-the-rules progressive-metal, without any of the good elements that other better DT-inspired bands offer, such as Vanden Plas or Ivory Tower. One of the rare unique moments we can mention is in the song "Psychogeist", where the chorus is sung in a spoken, yelling way much in the vein of Slayer's Tom Araya (?!). But caution: it's just a moment I can remember, not a moment I actually LIKED.

I have given PSYCHOGEIST five listens and by now something should have at least started to get into my brain and heart as remotely different or interesting. As this hasn't happened, I have to give the album 2 stars. I don't give it only one because the music is well played, with no glitches and very professionally. But, beyond that, what we have here is GENERIC progressive metal.

Recommended for: Fans of progressive metal that don't mind the lack of originality; fans of DT that want another band that sounds something like them, but without the quality.

Not recommended for: people who want some new, unique, exciting progressive metal. People who want to listen their first Hungarian-prog record.

.you should wait until you can get yourself some real good prog.

Age of Nemesis hails from Hungary; not a country known to be a hotbed for progressive music.

Musically, they play prog metal; with major inspirations from Dream Theaters early recordings, especially the guitar has a similar sound to the crunchier riffs found on DT's Awake album. In addition to that, several songs are spiced with elements that seem to originate from jazz and fusion.

The musicianship is good, the individual members give each other space to contribute individually as well as being good at supporting each other.

What I found wanting on this release were really good songs. Apart from the tracks "Mommy's Crying" and "Abraxas" most of the songs here just aren't very interesting.

Competent prog metal well performed by good musicians.

The second album of the band followed the first one after a quite short period of time, but for the third we had to wait almost 3 years. In the meantime the band split up and was reformed, they got a record deal with a U.S. label and the new line-up released their first album with English lyrics. But the record contained only old songs which were re-recorded. But we had a chance to hear what the new vocalist is capable of. And if he did not disappoint on that record he wont do it here either.

The sound is somewhere near to what they had on "Abraxas" but somehow the new singer brings a fresh breath to the band. His voice is at home both in the lower and higher regions and is able to express very different states. The other new members (bass and drums) integrated themselves well in the band, and the old duo guitar and keyboards, well, they just perform at the usual high level. The keyboard being the essential part of each and every song providing a kinda frame to the songs, but when called upon delivers inspired solos. Fabian Zoli's guitar is the leading instrument in this symphony, but he already proved that he is a gifted musician on the previous releases. His melody lines and solos as great as ever.

In comparison to the previous records one can notice that the songs got more complex, not all of them hit from the very beginning, but after a while each songs proves to be worth spending more time listening to it. They will reward your patience in their own way, providing you some really magical moments. In spite of all their complexity and length the songs are still very compact and well constructed, they are just as long as they should be.

With their concept album "Terra Incognita" the band is not at all traveling on unknown realms. It is the realm of progressive magic, and they prove once again that they are the masters of it. In the end it must be said that the album was worth waiting for.

The year 2002 brought the band a record deal with the U.S. label Laser's Edge and the first record to be released, was the one called Eden?. A record with tracks from the previous two studio albums, now with lyrics in English. Another difference is the new line- up which performs on this album. Due to differences on both personal and musical level, the band split up in 2002. But shortly after was brought back to life by Fabian Zoltan and Nagy György. They started sending promotional cds to many labels abroad in order to make their music heard beyond the borders of Hungary as well. As a result of this campaign they signed with Laser's Edge. The fans who already heard the first two releases will be familiar with the songs aligned here on this album.They were remixed and re-recorded, but only slight changes in the instrumentation were made here and there. The new vocalist does well bringing his own style and not trying to follow in the footsteps of the former singer. Of course those who have known the band from the beginning can compare the two performances and draw their own conclusions. I personally like both versions. And highly reccomend them!

The title tells everything: it is not a new album from the band just a promotional CD with the simple aim to rouse the interest of an internatinal label in order to promote their music outside the borders of Hungary as well. But there is more to this record then that. It is not only an attempt to get the attention of a label company, but it was also a new start for the band.Due to personal and musical differences the line-up which recorded the first two albums split up at the end of 2000. But Fabian Zoltan and Nagy György decided to carry on and new musicians were sought. It was also for the first time the band released songs with lyrics in English. They compiled a few tracks from both the first and second album and remixed and re-recorded them. The sound is closer to the one heard on their first record, and the changes made to the songs here and there are only making them sound better. And the new vocalist? Well, he completely rises to the occasion and performes the old songs with a new breath. By the way, as a result of this promotional CD the band got a record deal with the U.S. label Laser's Edge. The album is definitely worth hearing both for old fans of the band as well as for those who want to get to know them. It could be hard to get, since it is a promotional cd, but the songs will be later released on their forthcoming studio albums.

Just one year after having released their self titled debut album Nemesis return with their second release called Abraxas. Pretty soon you would say, but for somebody who likes the band like myself it was great news.

From the start you notice the change of sound , it is a rawer sound compared to the previous record in spite of the fact that they worked in the same studio with the same producer. But it is a sound which really calls for good speakers. I would compare it to the change Dream Theater made from the sound of Images and Words to the sound you have on Awake. Yes, yes Dream Theater again. it seems that every review which is written on Nemesis must involve the American progressive gods :) .

And flawless progressive metal it is again what we hear on this album. No instrument sticks out, there is a perfect balance between them, and when there is time for a solo, the other instruments accompany perfectly. Both guitar and keyboard deliver stunning solos and melodies which speaks of the musical skills of the band members. The musical scale which is throdden here is large and there is no danger of getting bored at no time. There are no unnecessary musical ego-trips from none of the band members, which is to be hailed. The aim is to have an opus where every instrument is convincing both alone and in this orchestra called Nemesis as well. Bass is clear and audible, which is not very common, and just comes to praise the good production.

The album encloses a little story called "Psychogeist" which include tracks 3-8. The storyline is to be found on the band's page on the site of Magna Carta Records, cause they re-released the album in a new version with a new vocalist and with English lyrics. On this record we still have the line up which was performing on the debut album. It was to be the last album with Thorday Akos (R.I.P) on vocals. And what a performance it is. He already delivered something special on the first album, but I would say, this sounds even better. The highlight of the album, both what musical skills and vocals concerns is: Mama Sir. I think even if you wont understand what he sings about you will be able to feel it. But nowadays you can grab the English version to find out what the songs are all about. The track "Hüseg" is an instrumental one, and proves that even without vocals the band delivers something magical. There is feeling, there is passion, there is life in the vocals. To all these come lyrics which are very exigent and truly inspired.

Great album! Great music! Great musicians!!

The year 1998 brought us an excellent progressive Metal album from the Hungarian band Nemesis. From that moment it became one of my favorite progressive records of all times. Some say that their album reveals too much of the Dream Theater heritage, well I would rather say that is a perfect balance between their influences (who hasn't got them?!) and their own creativity. Cause it is not to avoid to be compared to the big ones if you play in one genre or the other. And it is one thing being compared to them, and it is completely another copying them, showing the least amount of creativity.

Nemesis just do their own thing and play progressive metal at the highest level, and the Dream Theater comparison, well it should be an honor. For those of you who have not yet heard the album, I have to say that it is performed in Hungarian, and since I don't know how Hungarian sounds to someone who does not speak it, I just can hope that u will still be able to enjoy it.

All the musicians involved are displaying great musical skills, starting from the vocal performance of Thorday Akos (R.I.P.) who really delivers something magical on the last track, where the duo between piano and vocals is simply haunting, they take the Hungarian folk song covered, here into a new dimension. Fantastic!! His voice is varied: can be harsh and even aggressive and then yet again very gentle and passionate.

The rest of the album , unfortunately not that long(being the only flaw I can come up with), lines up the best the band has to offer: hard riffing, impressive melody lines and inspired solos from the band's main songwriter Fabian Zoltan, an excellent keyboard performance by Nagy György, who knows quite well how to create an atmosphere.The pianio intro on the already mentined song is something I can get enough of. Just the same goes for the rest of the band: Szerecsen Mihaly on drums and Pethe György on bass. I insist listing the line-up, cause it is different from the one shown above.

If you are into good progressive metal, then give Nemesis a chance! You won't regret it!

This second album by Hungarian band AGE OF NEMESIS, here still under the shorter name obviously contains the material that will be released in better quality and with English vocals seven years later under the title "Psychogeist". Unless for the ones preferring the lyrics in native language I'd recommend to go for the newer edition. Very good band though doing progmetal much in DREAM THEATER vein with an excellent singer and highly talented musicians. Songs are quite tough but very melodic at the same time. Positive to mention that unlike DT they're avoiding lengthy "solo masturbations". I'd like to recommend checking out this band to all folks who are into that kind of stuff!