A TOWER OF SILENCE

This is my first review. I am generally not a good reviewer, but this album has inspired me, and I simply must praise this album in words! Is this a five star album? I've only had it for a few weeks, but I've listened to it at least a half dozen times so far (including right now), and a few times on Bandcamp before that. It's at least a 4.5, maybe even 4.75, and since there are no half ratings here I will round up to 5. And honestly, I think it deserves it.

This is not neo-prog. This is pure Symphonic. Perhaps with a slightly harder edge than classic Symph, but no more-so than, say, Discipline. And really, it's probably just my imagination that some think there can be no "heavy" in Symphonic Prog. Plus honestly, it's not all that heavy, other than an occasional "guitar shred".

The bass on this album: So amazing! Some songs even have what I would call "lead bass"; or at least its the driving force of that particular section. This is something missing in many bands, where the bass is "just there".

Vocals: Wonderful! From what I can tell they have a "lead vocalist", sometimes a co-lead vocalist (the keyboard player/co-lyricist). He may sing occasional lead as well. Either that or the lead vocalist simply has a lot of different sounds! Either way, brilliant. All of the other band members are also credited (last) with vocals as well. So there are lots of lovely vocals here.

Keyboards: Lots of lovely mellotron, and some beautiful piano as well. Not much in the way of keyboard solos, but that's fine. All keyboard sounds are the classics; no lame 80s or 90s style synth patches here.

Drums: Nice. Nothing stands out as of yet, but that's perhaps because everything else is so wonderful I haven't had time to concentrate on them.

Guitars: As I've said, some great guitar here. Occasionally "heavy" but never metal. Some modern bands seem to think they always need metal in their guitar. Anubis proves this is not the case. Not that I don't like metal; I just don't think it's a requirement for being heavy or emotional. No fewer than four members are credited with guitar on this album. Two primary guitarists, along with the vocalist (someone needs to fix this on the PA credits) and the keyboard player. Can't say I ever hear more than two at a time, but hey.

Now for the lyrics. I generally don't care too much about the lyrics. As long as the singing is good, and the music is great, what more do you need? But I absolutely love these lyrics! According to their myspace page they tell the story of "...the Earthbound spirit of an 11 year old pauper's daughter, lost within the walls of the Victorian poor asylum in which she lived and died, and how she became trapped there". Before I read that I honestly thought it was a story about someones loss of religious faith and his arguments with God. Wonderful stuff, in any case!

Each song is 4.5 - 5 stars. I really can't choose a favorite, as each is wonderful, and each has its own distinct charm.

I got this too late (ordered in late December; received into January) to put it on my top picks of 2011, but here it is. Perhaps my favorite of 2011, in fact!

I will be buying their debut soon, and look forward to what they have to offer in the future!

(Yes, I am a fan of the exclamation point.)