INTO ETERNITY

The Incurable Tragedy

Century Media/ CD

Canadian prog-death power-metal commando checks in with the successor to "The Scattering of the Ashes." Label advertises the fifth full album of the team led by Tim Roth as the first concept album in IE career I have to admit that it's a classical overstatement. Of course lyrics has been inspired by dramatic events from the life of the band's leader. At the end of 2006, two of his friends, both brothers within a month departed from this world after an unequal fight with most cruel of the diseases - cancer. A month later, the father of guitarist, also lost his life after the fight against cancer. It's difficult to ignore such accumulation of personal tragedies. It's hard not to ask questions. It is difficult not to try reasonably explain what happened.

However, in the musical dimension - except atmospheric trilogy "The Tragedy incurable" - new stuff cannot rather be considered to be manufactured in accordance with the rules of composing classical concept works. First of all it 's only 38 minutes long. Secondly, Each particular songs do not share common musical path. I couldn’t also find parallels to the lyrical content in song structures.
So let's throw away this mask and focus on what band's offers us this time. There is no surprise. Like the previous album band delivers a dose of catchy , technical metal. Canadians - as they already habituated us - once again mix the ingredients taken form seemingly different worlds. Some are taken from heavy and power metal - the guitar melodies, and unfortunately sometimes the irritating Stu Block's falsetto (in "Indignation "and" Tides of Blood this guy crossed thin red line between emotional engagement and ridiculousness. There are compulsory death metal influences – Roth’s riffs often pay tribute to the Chuck Schuldiner's heritage. Just listen to those in "Time Immemorial". When they're accompanied by Block's high voice CONTROL DENIED comes to my head immediately.

It's true that Roth's technical skills are those of the world class. But it's sad to say that they're not going along with really interesting compositions. Overall, Roth seems to play a little bit simpler and in a less determined way then it was in the past. Unfortunately choruses may really irritate. "Diagnosis Terminal" is definitely too close to the emo bands from music televisions."The Incurable Tragedy" is a little disappointment. And even though this stuff confirms that IE has more than the average potential - particularly in the guitar department, but in my personal rating "TSoA" will remain on a higher position.

6/12