AFTERMATH (US) — Eyes Of Tomorrow (review)

AFTERMATH (US) — Eyes Of Tomorrow album cover

Album · 1994 · Technical Thrash Metal

3/5 · 2024-08-26
UMUR

"Eyes Of Tomorrow" is the debut full-length studio album by US, Illinois based thrash metal act Aftermath. The album was released through Zoid Recordings in 1994. Aftermath formed in 1985 and released no less than four demos in the years 1986-1990 before forming their own label Zoid Recordings for the release of "Eyes Of Tomorrow", and it´s safe to say that the band missed their window of opportunity, as thrash metal releases like "Eyes Of Tomorrow" were more or less ignored by music listeners and the music press in 1994. The thrash metal scene had been in decline since 1990-1991 and by 1994 only a few of the most prolific acts had survived (the rest were condemned to underground status), and an artist like Aftermath, who debuted in 1994 didn´t stand many chances. Lo and behold "Eyes Of Tomorrow" also ended up being the band´s sole studio album in their original run as they disbanded in 1996.

"Eyes Of Tomorrow" is a relatively original sounding thrash metal release combining technical playing with progressive structures and ideas. Acts like Coroner, Anacrusis, and Voivod come to mind during the album´s playing time, but Aftermath don´t sound like any other particular act. It´s just influences and contemporary sounds and ideas which are similar to the mentioned artists. The riffs and rhythms are relatively technical in nature, and the tracks often also feature atmospheric sections and clever lead guitar work. Lead vocalist Kyriakos Tsiolis has a rough voice and a raw delivery. Unfortunately it´s rather one-dimensional in nature and delivered in a staccato mode which soon becomes a tiresome listen (he reminds me a little of a thrash metal version of Mike Browning from Nocturnus). His singing/talking parts over some of the more atmospheric sections aren´t much more interesting, and the vocal part of the music ultimately isn´t that great.

The music may be technical in nature, but it´s filled with abrupt tempo changes and unconventional song structures which make the music a little trying in terms of memorability. I wouldn´t call it a difficult album to comprehend, but the lack of memorable riffs and a lead vocalist which doesn´t bring much to the table isn´t a good combination, and it makes "Eyes Of Tomorrow" one of those albums which is more interesting to listen to as a musician than as a regular music listener. I´m intellectually intrigued by the ideas in the music but my primal headbanging thrasher isn´t satisfied. The rather weak sounding production job doesn´t enhance the listening experience either. The guitars are too low in the mix and they lack power, and the same can be said about the drums. I´ve seen some fans of technical/progressive thrash metal describing "Eyes Of Tomorrow" as an unsung gem of the genre, but to my ears there are plenty of reasons why the album never reached more than underground status and recognition. A 3 - 3.5 star (65%) rating is warranted.