Empty Tremor - Apocolokyntosys

Year of Release: 1997
Label: Rising Sun Productions
Catalog Number: 35899
Format: CD
Total Time: 50:57:00

Well,

The siege has begun ... and it starts with Empty Tremor, an Italian (I think) melodic progressive band not unlike Dream Theater in style ... here is a summary of the disc:

THE STYLE:

Very Dream Theater-ish ... reminds me a lot of When Dream And Day Unite with a more up to date sound ... also at times this reminds me of Awake ... there are tons of keyboards, heavy guitars (but not too crunchy) ... the keyboards are used as a backdropped sound and base for the band sound instead of a front spot ala Kevin Moore ...

THE PRODUCTION:

Excellent, one of the best I have heard from an Italian band ... its a very full, rich sound ... my only small complaint would be that the snare drum was muffled just a bit, not as crisp and clear as I prefer, but the outstanding music going on around it won't even make you notice ...

THE SINGER:

This is where that old Italian "curse of the bad singers" goes out the window ... there are two outstanding Italian singers that come to mind, the Madsword singer, and this singer ... he sings very well, and he has a pleasant voice, and a very pleasant tone, mid-range to mid-high at times ... barely a trace of accent if any...

THE BAND:

Every member's playing is superb, especially the guitarist and drummer ... what other super prog metal band has this complement of awesome players?? Why, DT of course ... ;o) Very tight playing, excellent melodies, and lots of progression, these guys are well schooled in their respective instruments ... and there is LOTS of double bass going on here for you drum lovers ...

THE COMMENTS:

Well, I keep talking about Dream Theater comparisons here like every other person who doesn't know who to compare a band to soundwise, but if you look at who the band thanks in their credits, Mike Portnoy, Dream Theater, Joey Vera, Labyrinth, Athena and others, you get the idea about who these guys admire and emulate ... needless to say, if you like Dream Theater, you will like this band ... As Madsword is Italy's answer to Fates Warning, Empty Tremor is Italy's answer to Dream Theater ... Overall, it is HIGHLY recommended for those of you who have been waiting for a DT release, or for those of you who can't get enough of that DT sound, or for those of you who like your prog metal VERY melodic and epic sounding ...

Tracklisting:
The Eyes Of Universe (7:36) / Rules Of Time (6:36) / The Message Keeper (7:32) / Running Rusty Rails (5:10) / Apocolokyntosys (9:16) / Middleman (4:42) / Slice Of Life (2:58) / Screaming Loud The Sins Of The World (8:27)

Musicians:
Christian Tombetti - electric and acoustic guitars
7 Daniele Liverani - keyboards
Dennis Randi - bass
Giovanni de Luigi - lead and backing vocals
Marco Guerrini - electric and acoustic guitars
Stefano Ruzzi - drums and percussion

Discography:
Apocolokyntosys (1997)
Eros & Thanatos (2000)
The Alien Inside (2004)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin IT

Added: July 25th 1999
Reviewer: Larry "LarryD" Daglieri

Artist website: www.emptytremor.com
Hits: 2531
Language: english