TERRA INCOGNITA ( ENGLISH VERSION)

"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.

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