ETHERNITY – The Human Race Extinction

Their label says Ethernity is “…a very promising melodic progressive metal band from Belgium…matured and refined in every way…”  It further promotes this sophomore effort as “an elaborate concept album with an apocalyptic plot…perfectly produced…” This is top shelf hype and the band performs their hearts out trying to make it happen.  Unfortunately, the album was not perfectly produced.

Chugging heavy riffs dominate the left and right channels while vocals are subdued in the center fighting for space with a bludgeoning rhythm section and an unholy and pervasive atmospheric keyboard din which smothers the entire proceedings.  While backing off the vocals is not the worst decision since the vocals are repetitively heavy on vibrato, the lack of texture and space to discern lyrics or melody has a numbing effect on the listener. Frequent use of robust male and female backing vocals add to the sense the band is imploring the listener feel the grandeur of every moment. A welcome reprieve from the cacophony occurs when the backing keyboard is removed during ballads “Mechanical Life” and “Warmth Of Hope” and allow a connection to the music.

Motörhead may have coined the phrase Everything Louder than Everyone Else for an album title, but the production used on The Human Race Extinction makes Ethernity sound like it’s their modus operandi. The end result is a Teflon wall of sound.

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TRACKLIST (Highlights: 3, 12)

1. Initialization
2. The Human Race Extinction
3. Mechanical Life
4. Grey Skies
5. Beyond Dread
6. Artificial Souls
7. Redefined
8. Rise Of Droids
9. Mark Of The Enemy
10. The Prototype
11. Not The End
12. Warmth Of Hope
13. Chaos Architect
14. Indestructible

LINEUP

Julie Colin – Vocals
Thomas Henry – Guitar
Francesco Mattei – Guitar
François Spreutels – Bass
Julien Spreutels – Keyboards
Nicolas Spreutels – Drums