Power of Metal.dk Review

Appearance Of Nothing
A New Beginning
Rating
Style: Progressive Metal
Release date: 14 February, 2014
Playing time: 57:41
 


The third studio album from the members in the amazing Swiss progressive metal band, Appearance of Nothing is finally here! Their awesome debut album' Wasted Time' came in 2009 and in 2011 the killer album 'All Gods Are Gone' hit the market. Original drummer Yves Lüthi left the band after 'All Gods are Gone' and Appearance of Nothing signed Ronnie Wolf on as their percussionists in 2011 and what a great recruitment they have done with that guy. Pat Gerber is still the front man and one of the two vocalists, with his epic and peculiar voice. Omar Cuna combines the work as bass player and vocalist and sings softer and takes higher tones than Pat.

I discovered this band through one of my good friends, who first found them on Youtube when 'Wasted Time' was released. I have been a very big fan after that. Their progressive metal evolution has been progressing on every album and I believe that they have climbed a big step higher on the technical prog metal ladder with this disc.

Only seven tracks are served on 'A New Beginning', but they clocks in from the shortest song on 5 minutes to the longest track 'A New Beginning' just over 14 minutes. Very mature and complex progressive metal with thrilling guitars and insanely technical drumming from Ronnie Wolf. Marc Petralito's keyboards are floating like gentle balm in the background and fills every eventual sound hole. This isn't an album that is slammed into my head after the first spin, no it took at least five-six rounds before things fell into the right places in my ears.

Innovative and exciting prog-metal with small flirts with the modern metal with grunt and growl vocals. The blend with tiny flavors from modern incentives and their own epic metal sound is healthy and keeps my mind and brain in shape. The amazing title track alone is worth all the money. 'A New Beginning' is a musical journey down in the Swiss dark, black caves and up into the sunny, high alps with their tempo variations, which are just stunning. You can compare it with a ride in a rollercoaster. Appearance of Nothing keeps you awake and alert all the way to the end station.

I resist to pick any best songs from this disc, because it changes every time I try to dissect a song in the track list. That's why I give this album such a high score. Almost a perfect result.

This is an album/band, which demands a full-focus audience and I must recommend that you give it a few spins before it all sticks into your head. If you are a fan of progressive metal and in particular are a fan of Symphony X, Dream Theater, Nevermore or Redemption, you have another band you need to add to make your CD-collection complete.      

Appearance of Nothing is:
Pat Gerber (Vocals/Guitar)
Omar Cuna (Vocals/Bass)
Peter Berger (Lead Guitar)
Marc Petralito (Keyboards)
Ronnie Wolf (Drums)


Tracklist
01. Chains Of History
02.
Without A Reason
03.
The Seer
04.
A New Beginning
05.
Forsaken
06.
Echoes
07.
When The Glass Breaks
Label: Power Prog
Distribution: Power Prog
Artwork rating: 95/100
Reviewed by: Patrik J Skoglund
Date: 7 February, 2014
Website: www.appearanceofnothing.com