BABYLON

"Tales of Doom: Chapter 1" (Man in Black Music; 2005)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

 

It's hard to give any CD with only three tracks and a running time of less than 10 minutes a guitarsaw rating of more than two and a half. The simple fact is that there's really only enough there to tell you about those few songs, not how the band holds up for the length of a full-length CD.  Add to that the fact that the first track is really nothing more than a brief, introductory instrumental and you make it even more difficult to sing the band's overall praises.

The three tracks on Babylon's "Tales of Doom: Chapter 1," however, tell you plenty. Mainly, that you can't wait to hear more. And, thankfully, more is coming. On the label's website is information about Babylon's forthcoming "Tales of Doom" Chapter 2 and Chapter 3.

"Tales of Doom: Chapter 1" starts with "The Nightmare," a Tangerine Dream-ish opening number with haunting synths and/or keyboards that sets the eerie stage for rest of the "Tales of Doom" series (as well as acts as an appropriate background for the CD's horrific cover). Track 2, "Reach for the Sun," is a straight-forward rocker that you might have found on Kiss's "Music From the Elder." Finally, "St. Crispen's Day," track 3, begins with a rolling acoustic intro and then roars into crunching, Whitesnake guitars and majestic vocals.

It all feels incomplete but, then again, it's supposed to. This is only Part 1 of an apparent trilogy. The worst thing about "Tales of Doom: Chapter 1" is that I want to hear "Chapter 2" and "Chapter 3" right here, right now. Instead, I have to wait until the rest of the story is available for public consumption.

Babylon: Bryce Van Patten - Vocals, Drums, Keyboards; Eddie Nixon - Guitars; Allen Gray - Bass.

For more information, check out http://www.maninblackmusic.com

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

Back to CD Reviews Home

Back to RoughEdge.com Home

Copyright © 2005 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
Revised: 19 Mar 2024 18:22:12 -0500.