DAWNING

It has been a while since I last reviewed Archetype ? apparently they weren't happy with the production of 'Dawning' so after their management company had been touting the product for a while they decided to go back into the studio and re-record most of it. The result has certainly been worth the wait as they have moved on from 'Hands Of Time'. They are much more firmly entrenched in the technical rock/hard rock area. A solid rhythm section allows Chris Maytus to really stretch his melodies on the guitar, and he moves quickly from one genre to another while Greg Wagner has also really grown into his vocal role and uses many different styles. This gives them yet another way of moving the music onwards and not resting within one particular musical area for too long.

When a band and singer work together to challenge the boundaries of what they are doing then it can produce some stunning results and that is certainly the case here. I kept being reminded of Helloween or even Stratovarius but these guys rely solely on guitars ? there isn't a keyboard overplay to be found anywhere. It is a rock album that will appeal to head bangers as when Archetype crank it out they certainly do, but in fact this is an album that will appeal to all who like their rock to move and challenge conformity without relying solely on volume, speed or distortion. This is solid rock music that deserves close attention. Visit the web site at www.archetype1.com.

Originally appeared in Feedback #67, Apr 02