ELYSIUM THEORY — Modern Alchemy (review)

ELYSIUM THEORY — Modern Alchemy album cover Album · 2010 · Progressive Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
2.5/5 ·
Andyman1125
A not-so Modern debut

Elysium Theory is one of the slew of new 'Bedroom Producer' bands, with bands forgoing the traditional record label to record and release albums on their own. Sometimes this is an amazing success, with many albums having spectacular production and making for a wonderful independent album. However, I really can't say the same for Elysium Theory's Modern Alchemy. Although the album is full of some really cool compositions, I have quite a bone to pick with the muddy production of the album, and I can't help but think that this sub-par quality hinders the otherwise decent music. Overall, the album is certainly not a horrible album, but I have to say it sounds a bit like the older progressive metal albums of the late 80s and early 90s and sounds a bit outdated.

This 'outdated' sound may have been sought after, as the band seems to have an obvious influence of the progressive metal bands of the era, but now, 20 years after the emergence of the innovative genre, the innovation has worn off. I feel like this is would be a much more critically acclaimed album if it were much older. Of course this album is not bad, with some really great moments with creative melodies and some really cool instrumental passages. I do have to mention, however, that the singer's voice does grate on me. Whether it's just the slightly nasally quality of the voice or just the production muddling his inflection, it almost ruins some of the music. It's not all bad, with some passages being really nice for his voice. But I have to say the best aspect of this album is the instrumental piece, which at times can get a little choppy. Overall, however, this album is a decent display of somewhat retro progressive rock with a metal twinge.

In the end, the album is overall less than your average prog album, but is in no way a bad album. Compositionally, many of the songs are fantastic, with some really great melodies and rhythmic structures. However, mostly due to the production quality of the music, the music is muddled a bit and has a much less dynamic and enjoyable quality to it. Although the album isn't bad, it also isn't spectacular. It is a nice debut for an emerging band, but has too much of an outdated and muddled sound to it. 3- stars.
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