Unwritten Pages - Noah Pt 1
In what might be the most adventurous debut effort to date Unwritten Pages leader and main man Fredric Epe has given us a progressive metal treat with his epic 2 disc concept work titled Pt.1 Noah. His love of sci-fi and well crafted music blend together to create a most tantalizing tale that may enter through the ears but will challenge many more of your senses than just what you hear. The world that he has concocted musically paints a vivid picture inside your head of the horrific future depicted in his story. This is one you will slap the headphones on for and lay back, close the eyes and watch the movie that unfolds within your mind.
Enlisting some of progressive metals most dynamic performers to bring his concept to reality, Epe is aided by the likes of Damian Wilson (Ayreon, Threshold), Davy Mickers (Ayreon, Stream of Passion), Karl Groom (Threshold, Shadowland) and Alejandro Millan (Stream of Passion) among others, it is little wonder that this work ranks with and is compared to that of Arjen Lucassen. Epe has the same eye and ear for detail and it shows in the masterful work that he has given to us. Be prepared to get lost in his world as Fredric's ambitious effort will engulf you for the duration and leave you hoping that Pt. 2 is not far behind.
Dramatic, bombastic and literally a story that unfolds through each chapter or song if you prefer, this is going to be a tough sell to those who are not willing to look at this as a total package. It is not designed for the ADD crowd of today by any means. Sure you could pull some individual songs out and there are many that will stand on their own but this is a seamless work that needs to be heard in it's entirety to be appreciated. The wide ranging styles and continuous storyline makes it hard to separate. For example all you have to do is take a song like the aptly titled "Unexpected Twists & Turns" with its many genre shifts from acoustic to very metal and back again with moments that play like a Broadway show tune it flows seamlessly into the very heavy "These Haunted Days" where the vocals are at times almost narration to the story and you have songs that fits perfectly into the overall picture but may confound if taken out of context.
Not lost on Epe is the fact that keyboards are one of the most dramatic instruments there is. His masterful use of piano/keyboards adds the epic quality to the overall project. Hauntingly used in the background for amazing effect or crisply and pompously used as a lead instrument Epe maximizes the gothic feel every time his fingers touch the keys. It is his keyboard work that introduces the album with "PROLOGUE: This New World" and sets a dark and disturbing tone which is just what the story needs. He also interjects just the right amount of orchestration into the album too. The French Horn in the opening song is spot on for dramatic flair as an example.
A sci-fi geek with a love for progressive music and the talent to pull it off, now this is something that I can really sink my teeth into! I certainly hope that this is not a one time deal as I would love to see where he takes it from here. This project was 5 years in the making and I don't think I would like to wait that long for the next installment. This is such a terrific overall package and one that is easily a must have album. Any prog music lover should have it already but if not just head over to their web page and do yourself a favor.
copas from http://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=10066
Tracklist:
Disc 1
1. PROLOGUE: This New World
2. The Boy is Awake
3. In the Name of Ishmael
4. Royalty & Conspiracies
5. Red Ashes (The Privilege of War
6. Solar Blast
7. Deimos' Theme
8. Blowing Red Ashes Pt. I
Disc 2
1. The Uranium Machine
2. Falling Stars
3. Unexpected Twist & Turns
4. These Haunted Days
5. Blowing Red Ashes Pt. II
6. Flora & …
7. Life
TKP
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