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| Enchant - Wounded |
 Released: 1997 Label: Magna Carta Cat. No.: MA 9020 Total Time: 62.07 | |
Reviewed by: Stephanie Sollow, August 1998 Whereas their previous release didn't make me think about Dream Theater all that much, from the opening notes Enchant's Wounded does. At least, the softer side of Dream Theater. But that isn't a criticism in any way, because they keep just this side of clones. Wounded is a fitting title for this collection of disenchanted, depressing tales of death, aging, pessimism, fear, and so forth, in that order. There is a certain gravity here, an earnestness in purpose and an overwhelming sense of doom, at least lyrically. Ted Leonard's vocal style, like James LaBrie and many others working the hard prog (or metal prog) realm, dips and soars with feeling. The instrumentation is lively enough and energetic, but there is a sense of sameness from track to track. Maybe the expectation with the subject matter is a more in-your-face attack a la Metallica. Enchant don't quite reach that point and that acts against the subject matter - the arrangements all have soft edges, and almost romantic feel to them. This is especially evident on "Look Away," which features a nice harmony in its chorus, and differentiates itself from the rest of the disk. The truth is, Enchant's Wounded is a good release, listenable, but, on the whole, unremarkable. I do like it, but there are "buts." For those who find Shadow Gallery too saccharine, and Dream Theater too theatric and too metal, Enchant may just be up your alley. More about Wounded: Track Listing: Below Zero (6:07) / Fade 2 Grey (8:10) / Pure (7:17) / Broken (7:44) / Hostile World (6:29) / Look Away (6:40) / Armour (6:57) / Distractions (7:27) / Missing (6:36) Musicians: Contact: Website: www.theoasis.cc Discography
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