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EMPYREAN SANCTUM "Detachment From Reality"
EMPYREAN SANCTUM "Detachment From Reality"
By Dr. Abner Mality
Every now and then, I like to dive into the world of progressive metal as a break from the usual gut-munching stuff I listen to. EMPYREAN SANCTUM is proudly and totally a part of this sound and despite the fact that I've never heard of them before, they've been around since 2007.
The band is headed up by guitarist Justin Kellerman, who has assembled quite a noteworthy crew to help in his endeavor. Hannes Grossmann would be on just about anybody's list of great metal drummers; he's played with the likes of NECROPHAGIST, TRIPTYKON, ETERNITY'S END and ALKALOID. That name right there grabbed a lot of my interest. Bassist Alex Weber plays for REVOCATION and is another former OBSCURA dude. The vocal position is rounded out by Albert Rybka of Euro power metal band KATAGORY V. So no pikers in EMPYREAN SANCTUM.
The result sounds like DREAM THEATER, but with a heavier and more "tech" edge. It's the first thing you think of when you hear the term "prog metal". Breaking the album's nine tracks down, the first three and the last three are entertaining and robustly metallic tracks, but the three in the middle struck me as kind of flabby and forgettable. "Heart of Gold" (not a NEIL YOUNG cover!) starts things off with angular aggression and that heavier edge is apparent right away. Rybka sounds so much like James Labrie, he could be in a DREAM THEATER cover band...smooth and melodic. It wouldn't have been a sin for him to have a rougher sound on occasion. The playing is super clean and precise.
The middle brings us some cuts that are a bit saccharine..."Age of Innocence" borders on insipid. But things end really strong with a grooving "Lifeless Death" which has some great riffs and cool piano work, a hard-hitting "Refinement" where Kellerman's guitar work really shines and a good epic "Elation" that has a positive, upbeat sound.
All in all, nothing that hasn't been heard before, but a nice smooth piece of classic prog metal.
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