MIND GAMES

Eternity X is a forgotten progressive metal band from USA. Even they were formed in 1985 they manage to come with a first release only almost 8 years after in 1993. Never gained much popularity among listners, maybe because their first two albums are rather morre towards melodic power metal with some progressive metal influences, they penetrate the european market only with thier third album and last one The edge, since that one they were unknow to larger public. Now, the second album released in 1995 named Mind games, is a good power metal album, the more melodic side of it with some minor progressive metal elements here and there. No bad at all but nothing realy great either. Some moments are good like on title track or on Crawl Before You Walk, good musicianship. The album is not very technical or divers that way maybe is so low rated, anyway don;t expect to be a mellow or bland record, not at all, but the band is not another DT copy. The pieces are well constructed but suffers a little bit in great ideas. Anyway 3 star for this one, the next one is for sure better and more divers and great. Still apleasent record to listen from time to time.

Eternity X are back for round two, with 'Mind Games', the follow-up to their debut release, 'Zodiac'. It's a bit of an odd one really, because while certainly a step up from its mediocre and boring predecessor, which took itself way too seriously, 'Mind Games' itself, is also mediocre, boring, and takes itself way too seriously.

Musically and sonically, everything's pretty much the same here as before, though at least they didn't do another concept album based on the zodiac star signs (what the hell was any of that about anyway?). But sadly, 'Mind Games' itself, despite one or two brief moments of goodness, is a mostly lacklustre affair, with boring, introspective lyrics, and rather static guitar riffs, that just sound like they're trying to be complex for the sake of it.

Onto the positives... if they can be considered as such... 'Faith' is an alright track, though it has a God-awful intro, and bonus track 'Switchblade' isn't half-bad... though the fact that a "bonus track" is considered one of the better songs speaks volumes about this album.

It's a shame, because vocalist, band leader and songwriter Keith Sudano is clearly very passionate about what he's writing, evident especially in his vocal performances, but the music itself just isn't very interesting. And with lyrical nuggets of joy such as "Mr. Suicide - grab his hand he'll take you on the ultimate ride", it's clear that this is nothing more than a self-indulgent cheese-fest.