Mystery - Beneath The Veil Of Winter's Face

Year of Release: 2007
Label: Unicorn Digital
Catalog Number: UNCR-5040
Format: CD
Total Time: 62:43:00

It has been nine years since the band's last studio offering (Destiny? released in 1998); seven if you count the retrospective At The Dawn Of A New Millennium as a full blown "new" album. However, it has been worth every minute as Mystery has grown in a very professional way both where compositions are concerned as well as playing skills. Then main difference from Destiny? is that they have enlisted a new singer, but boy what a plus he brings to the band! Our Canadian friends still flirt with a dash of AOR, which can be heard throughout the strong opener "As I Am," which contains some Journey elements next to some blistering guitar passages. Benoît David's voice shines powerful and crystal clear throughout the wonderful title track. With opening chords that remind us of the better Pink Floyd, and an incredible guitar melody, "Snowhite" once again illustrates the melodic vocal qualities as well as the production skills from band leader and label boss Michel St. Pére. Great song!

As mentioned before, the arrival of new singer Benoît David (not to be confused with the jazz composer of the same name [that is, David Benoît]!) is a great step forward in the history of the band. As a singer with Yes tribute band Close To The Edge, Benoît most certainly has a voice that blends ever so well with Mystery's very own approach of progressive rock. A song like "The Scarlet Eye" can be seen like Yes during its stint with Billy Sherwood; in other words, with a more modern look in taking prog into the 21st century. The arrangement also contains certain Alan Parsons Project moments, which might explain the accessible nature. Next to material that is more song oriented, the album also includes more pure prog compositions such as "Voyage To The Other Side" with its great guitar interventions getting close to the best IQ.

Next to blistering passages Mystery pays a lot of attention to detail and to melody. Probably one of the nicest songs on the album has to be the soft "The Sailor And The Mermaid," which is the kind of music every radio station around the globe could play around the clock. I'm convinced that in edited form this song could even enter the charts and be a firm favourite for millions of households. Breathtakingly beautiful and as the hairs in my neck stood up, a guaranteed hit! Unicorn Digital: push this song as a single and bombard your radio stations! Equally fragile in the opening sequence is the album's epic the 11 minute long "The Awakening," which grows as time evolves. The album closes with the powerful "The Preacher's Fall," as if to put a huge exclamation mark behind this album.

Apparently the long wait between Destiny? and the new Beneath The Veil Of Winter's Face has been because Michel St. Père has been extremely busy both with his successful label Unicorn Digital and the many bands on his roster, such as Spaced Out and Hamadryad. So working non-stop what Mystery is concerned was out of the question. The wait however has been more than worthwhile as without a shadow of a doubt Beneath The Veil Of Winter's Face has nestled the band amongst the top of the current new wave of progressive artists. Hopefully the success of this album will enable Mystery to spread its wings far wider than the Canadian surface and see them perform live on North American and European soil before too long!

Tracklisting:
As I Am (5:41) / Beneath The Veil Of Winter:s Face (5:58) / Snowhite (4:07) / Travel To The Night (8:38) / The Scarlet Eye (5:35) / The Third Dream (6:11) / Voyage To The Other Side (6:24) / The Sailor And The Mermaid (5:23) / The Awakening (11:12) / The Preacher:s Fall (3:30)

Musicians:
Patrick Bourque - bass (5, 8)
Benoît David - vocals
Steve Gagné - drums
Michel St. Pére - guitars, bass, and keyboards

Discography:
Mystery (1992)
Theatre Of The Mind (1996/1998)
Destiny? (1998)
At The Dawn Of The Millennium 1992-2000 (2000/2013)
Beneath The Veil Of Winter's Face (2007)
Destiny? (reissue) (2008)
One Among The Living (2010)
The World Is A Game (2012)
Unveil The Mystery 2007-2012 (2013)
Tales From The Netherlands (2014)
Delusion Rain (2015)
Second Home (2017)
Lies And Butterflies (2018)
Live In Poznan (2019)
Second Home (DVD) (2017)

Genre: Progressive Rock

Origin CA

Added: July 2nd 2007
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg
Score:
Artist website: www.therealmystery.com
Hits: 6583
Language: english