All Too Human - Entropy


Year of Release: 2002
Label: Steelheart Records (Adrenaline Records)
Catalog Number:
Format: CD
Total Time: 59:57:00

All Too Human is an unsigned progressive metal band from the United States. In 1998, they released their self-produced and self-financed debut CD entitled, Forever And A Day, on R/R Records (an independent label). The current line-up consists of: Don Duzan (vocals), Chris Lucci (drums and percussion), Maurice Taylor (bass) and Clint Wilson (guitars). Also worth noticing for the prog heads out there is the guest appearance by ex-Dream Theater keyboardist Derek Sherinian.

Since the last album Clint Wilson has taken over the guitar duties and they have a new vocalist in Don Duzan. Although described as a prog rock/metal band, the material on Entropy leans more towards the prog metal genre. Stylistically, the band draw influences from bands like Dream Theater, Rush, Symphony X, Queensryche, Fates Warning, Planet X, etc.

Although they pulled in Derek Sherinian to do the keys, which he does as masterfully as always, he surprisingly kept a low profile here. It's the guitars and the vocals that are most present in the mix. Vocalist Don Duzan has a cool voice and mostly stays in the higher register and although he occasionally sounds a bit strained, he's for the most part very good. Also guitarist Clint Wilson offers some really tasty fretwork.

The songs are fairly complex with lots of breaks and instrumental passages, yet they manage to put the melodies in focus which is a good thing. And while we're on this subject, one problem that often bothers me with prog releases is that the instrumental parts often lack easy to follow and accessible melodies. Too often it seems that the instrumental parts are just there for the sake of being just ... there or simply to display the musical talent of a band's respective members. Fortunately this is not the case on Entropy, the band has pulled off writing intricate instrumental parts that actually have appealing melodies.

The production is rich and well balanced and sounds very impressive for an independent band. Furthermore a couple of songs fail to attract me, but the remaining tracks are all top notch prog metal songs. Just listen to tracks like "The Jester" and "Seven Deadly Sins" and you instantly know we are dealing with a very talented band. Personally I think the band has come a long way since the debut and I am actually a bit surprised that this band isn't signed yet. They definitely deserve it. All Too Human is among the best unsigned acts out there and Entropy is well worth checking out for every prog fan.

[In May of 2004, Entropy was re-issued in Europe via Steelheart Records, a division of Adrenaline Records - new artwork, a 16 page color booklet with photos, lyrics, and liner notes - PW ed.]

Similar To: Queensryche/Fates Warning/Rush

[This review originally appeared at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]



Tracklisting:
(Original release) Entropy / The Jester / Haunted / E-Killer / Arrhythmia (Instrumental) / Seven Deadly Sins / White Stones / Undone

(European Reissue) The Jester / E-Killer / Arrhythmia (Instrumental) / Seven Deadly Sins / Entropy / Haunted / White Stones / Undone / Bonus Tracks: What Do You Call Me Now? / The Limits Of Man

Musicians:
Don Duzan - vocals
Chris Lucci - drums and percussion
Maurice Taylor - bass
Clint Wilson - guitars

Guest:

Derek Sherinian - keyboards
Jason Rooks - background vocals (2, EU) Bryan Armstrong - background vocals (2, EU)

Discography:
Forever And A Day (1998)
Entropy (2002/2004)

Genre: Progressive/Power Metal

Origin US

Added: July 1st 2003
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Artist website: www.alltoohuman.com
Hits: 2452
Language: english

  

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