FUTURES END — Memoirs of a Broken Man (review)

FUTURES END — Memoirs of a Broken Man album cover Album · 2009 · Progressive Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Memoirs of a Broken Man" is the debut full-length studio album by US progressive/power metal act Futures End. The album was released through Nightmare Records in October 2009. Futures End formed in 2007 and feature quite a few prolific names in the lineup. The quintet lineup consists of bassist Steve DiGiorgio (Sadus, Testament, Death...etc.), drummer Jon Allen (Sadus, Dragonlord, Testament...etc.), guitarist Christian David Wentz (Circle II Circle, The Element), guitarist Marc Pattison (Destiny's Void, Chemical Burn, Circle II Circle), and lead vocalist Fred Marshall (Destiny's Void, Zero Hour).

So without even talking about it, we´ve established by looking at the names involved, that the musicianship is top notch on "Memoirs of a Broken Man". Stylistically the material is a progressive tinged form of US power metal performed with great technical skill. Marshall is a powerful and commanding singer (I´m personally not sold on his voice, although he is undeniably a skilled vocalist), and the album is loaded with high level drumming and bass playing (...it´s the Sadus rhythm section so it´s a matter of course), and very intricate guitar riffs and lead work. Fans of the genre should be able to find a lot to enjoy here. The material are relatively varied with both hard edged US power metal tracks, intricate semi-progressive moments, and the occasional more power ballad type sections.

"Memoirs of a Broken Man" features 11 tracks and a total playing time of 70:07 minutes. 10 originals and a cover of "Powerslave" by Iron Maiden closing the album. While it´s slightly too long for it´s own good, it´s not an album featuring an excess of filler material. It´s more a matter of 70 minutes generally being a very long playing time for any release and a shorter more focused release could have felt even stronger than this version. The album is packed in a detailed and powerful sounding production, so upon conclusion it´s a high quality release by Futures End. A 3.5 (70%) rating is deserved (probably higher if you appreciate Marshall´s voice more than I do).
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