We’re off to Basel, Switzerland to bring you the album Wasted Time by Appearance Of Nothing. They were formed back in the last century as No Thanx by guitarist and singer Pat Gerber and drummer Yves Luthi.
Following some line up changes, they morphed into Appearance Of Nothing adding bass player Omar Cuna, guitarist Peter Berger, and the keyboards of Marc Petralito. A demo release Behind Closed Doors appeared in 2006 with Pat Gerber covering vocals. Next they went back into the studio to release their first full length album Wasted Time (Escape Music, 2008).
They are a progressive metal band who are strong on the power. There are shades of Dream Theatre, alongside larger dollops of Symphony X. Fans of progressive metal will see them as a very welcome addition. Producer Markus Teske has worked with Symphony X and Vanden Plas, another band whose influence can be detected.
There is an effective mixture of power, atmosphere, aggression, alongside more delicate moments. The end result is promising. The highlight undoubtedly being “The Science Of Light” an imaginative and dramatic fifteen minute epic that forms the centre piece to the album.
Divided into three sections, “Out Of The Dark”, “Into The Light”, and “Reprise”, “Science Of The Light” is a confident, intricate, and highly absorbing piece. Wasted Time opens with “Man In The Mirror”, pure power prog metal that makes good use of all the necessary light and dark textures.
“The Gambler” again switches back and forth between those two elements. “Drifting Away” is rich in atmosphere whilst providing a clever balance to the album. Near anthemic at times, this is a song strong enough to get this band recognition. The title track gallops on, whilst the lush ballad “Wrapped In Silence” settles us back down with a definite album highlight.
Article comments
1 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Imaginatively written, it is in many ways interestingly innovative.
I'm not sure I was listening to the same tracks as you did... All I hear is rehashed, poorly imitated, Images & Words. As with plenty of other highly DT influenced bands that I have found, these guys really don't wander off & showcase any of their own ideas. It's unfortunate that a lot of these Heavy Metal bands get labeled "Progressive" because they utilize some keyboards and transition from heavy to soft. That's not really what Prog Metal is all about.
Personally, I would reserve such statements for releases like the new Cynic & Opeth.
2 - Jeff
Hi Brian (aka Guppusmaximus !) - thank you firstly for reading the review, and taking the time to comment and lastly for the tip re the new Cynic - will grab hold of that. I know what you're saying and I know that I was looking for the 'new' amongst the 'influences' and found some things in there that showed imagination and the potential to go in a more personal direction. I gave the album a few plays and that's just the way I saw it. Thanks again - will seek out Cynic though for sure. Jeff
3 - Mark Saleski
so is the band wrong for calling themselves progressive? because they do.
4 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
No...The band can call themselves whatever they want even including boring & pretentious. Hell, Jessica Simpson calls herself Country now...So why not??
5 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Jeff- Thanks for taking my comments in stride as they are just that...comments.
I would like to read more of your reviews about the "Progressive" Metal scene because, atleast, your writing got me interested in checking out their music. Kudos!
6 - Tom Johnson
Sebastian Bach has gone country now, too. The end is nigh.
7 - AON Keyboarder
Hey guys!
Well thanx to listen to our album at first! And thanx to the reviewer for he liked it :-)
Well I can understand that you wouldn't call it progressive! I mean sure we aren't like Opeth or DT. But I think also a lot of people call Between the Burried and me progressive... so I really think the term "progressive metal" can include so many variations and styles.
Well and if you don't like it then wait for our new album, it'll be definately a bit more "unusual" and more "metal" (ok now I sound like someone from Metallica ;-) )!
Marc