DISSENSION

ETHEREAL ARCHITECT are a Metal band out of Texas who have a Power-Metal style to their sound. The vocals are not the best in my opinion and I would say they are the weak link. Also i'm not really that much of a Power-Metal fan although there are exceptions.This unfortunately isn't one of them.

"Phrysian" has a good heavy intro then the vocals and that Power-Metal style take over. Contrasts continue. Lots of riffs here. It settles late to end it. "Still Waiting" is heavy to start. Vocals around a minute but they just don't seem to suit the music here. "Slip" opens with gentle guitar as reserved vocals along with drums join in. It kicks in before 1 1/2 minutes then settles back 3 1/2 minutes in before kicking in again. "Thief" hits the ground running then settles when the vocals arrive but it's still heavy. Contrasts continue. A guitar solo 3 1/2 minutes in. Good song.

"Nevermore" turns heavy before 1 1/2 minutes then settles back as contrasts continue. Some ripping guitar before 4 minutes. I like the vocals best on this song. "Driven" has deeper almost spoken vocals and heaviness. It's okay. "Undone" picks up before 1 1/2 minutes as vocals strain to keep up. It settles back. A guitar solo after 3 1/2 minutes. It settles with strummed guitar and reserved vocals to end it. "Choke" has a heavy intro as urgent vocals join in.The guitar lights it up before 2 minutes. "Negative Two-Thirds" kicks in after a minute with vocals. Double bass drumming too. It settles back after 2 minutes as contrasts continue. A calm with vocals after 6 1/2 minutes for less than a minute. Some nice guitar follows.

Barely 3 stars.