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Highly promising prog-death with a bit of symphonic black metal overtones in the mix as well, Antares – from NYC of all seemingly incongruous locales – offers a fine introductory carrot to us sophisticated metal donkeys. I can certainly trace more than a hint of influence from Emperor, Vintersorg, Borknagar, Into Eternity, German prog-nutters like Disillusion and Sieges Even, with a greater preponderance of keyboards (or maybe just a louder mix thereof) than any of them. At this stage in its career, paired with such lofty ambitions, Antares could easily fall flat on its ass, yet all three songs on offer hold up remarkably well, with a lively snare drum and crackling bass work to enhance the moody guitar passages. If the devil is in the details, and oh, it always is, it’s that the divergent elements don’t come together as fully as they should. The clean vocals are majestic and the death vocals convincingly gruff, yet don’t seem a part of the same band, much less the same song. The title track ends on a slow volume fade, while “Flowing Stream” comes to a jarring, almost accidental close. Only the final cut seems as fully realized as the band seems to hanker, but it, too, is hamstrung by occasionally confused instrumentation and songwriting transition. Still, there’s talent on hand, and the opportunity to become the five boroughs’ most cherished prospect since Grey Skies Fallen (and Alicia Keys) makes this a band to watch.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Different Light |
| 2. Flowing Stream |
| 3. Now That The Sky And The Earth And The Wind Are Silent |
: 14:50
| Buy other Antares albums |
