TERAMAZE
"Eli: A Wonderful Fall from Grace" (Wells
Music; 2024)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
This album from Teramaze is apparently the last in a trilogy that
began with 2015's "Her Halo," and continued with "Sorella Minore" from 2021. As
you may guess from the fact that it's a trilogy, "Eli: A Wonderful Fall
from Grace" is a concept album, something that progressive metal bands seem to
gravitate toward.
"Eli" starts out a little slow, playing more like a rock opera than a progressive metal band. Track 3, "Step Right Up" finally kicks it up a notch with heavier guitars and a faster pace and tracks "Madam Rosa" and "Standing Ovation" continue that trend. A couple of tracks, both running just over a minute, are obviously there only to continue the story. while the penultimate track, "Hands are Tied" goes back to the rock opera sound with a keyboard and softer vocals. The closing track, "A Wonderful Fall from Grace," is a monster, with a running time of fourteen-and-a-half minutes. It's a great closer, though, with its thorough story-telling, its terrific vocal performances, and its sweeping musical tone.
All of the tracks are complex, well-produced and well-performed and, combined together, tell a fascinating story at the end of this trilogy. It felt a little incomplete to me, of course, but I've missed the first few albums and maybe going back and filling in the blanks will help. Regardless, progressive metal fans will enjoy the multiple levels of music to be found throughout this album, and I have to imagine that those who have followed the trilogy closer than I have will be satisfied with this sold finale.
For more information, check out https://teramaze.com.au/.
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.
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Copyright 2024 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
