Review of Into Eternity - Dead or Dreaming

In a time when labels work and genres are defined it's refreshing to come across a band such as Into Eternity that thinks outside of the lines and combines several elements and key signatures of the metal spectrum into one. Into Eternity boast of influence from Nevermore, Iron Maiden, Rush, Dream Theater and the almighty Death, which I find the comparisons very suiting when absorbing the overall sound they have created. The mixture of sounds that deliver the uniqueness mostly comes from the use of both death and clean vocal passages. The clean side of the world comes in multiple part vocal harmonies and is used more frequent than the death attacks but for the most part do not stray into the realm of cheese. The lead voice of clean stays in a mid range therefore creating a smooth strike verses the overly used high ball-busting ear-piercing shit that we have all come to laugh at time and time again. When the death does come into the picture it immediately amplifies the heavy ten fold and is definitely a welcomed encounter. I'm not quite sure yet where the break down of who is singing what is, as lead vocal credits are given both to Tim Roth and Chris Krall with Scott Krall and Jim Austin also given backing vocal credits as well. If I haven't spelled it out to you enough by now my point here is there are a lot of fucking vocals going down on Dead or Dreaming. Musically for the most part Dead or Dreaming is very progressive with technical guitar riffage leading the way. The songs obviously have been meticulously crafted and come across with substance burning at their heels. Big guitar leads and triumphant drumming add to the multiplicity and fill the gaps seamlessly with an underlined tone that these are schooled musicians coming ever so clear. When I first popped Dead or Dreaming into the player I was immediately intrigued and impressed at the same time. What I found though that was after several listens later I was picking apart certain melodies and song structure that could be improved on, I also thought that the album seemed to drag a little on the latter half. Where some of these critiques are negative and do play into the overall judgment of Dead or Dreaming I do still think this band has a very fucking bright future. Why you ask? Well let me tell you…

Firstly the band members are fairly young and have just begun to get their feet wet with the hybrid form of metal their trying to create. I personally think they haven't even scratched the surface of what they are actually capable of. The groundwork has been set though and I fully intend on hearing a masterpiece coming from this band in the near future, the musical integrity they possess screams of it and all in all I like Dead or Dreaming but it could be better. Another key factor to the fold is this material has been around for over a year now as Into Eternity was just recently signed to Century Media and it is their first release with proper distribution, that's why it's finally making it's way around the circuit. Bottom Line: These are solid songwriters who have harnessed a fully distinctive sound. In a live environment I can't imagine walking away disappointed from an Into Eternity show, the superior musicianship and the vocal harmonies just wouldn't allow it. Now should you buy this album? My suggestion would be yes through and through but if progressive death metal isn't your gig and you have to have death vocals at all expense than I guess you mise well stay away but this band does bring diversity in every sense of the word giving the listener an overall unique listening experience, where it falls short is in its staying power. Look for their next album to remedy all my qualms, at least I know I will.

Release Details

Into Eternity

Dead or Dreaming

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