Archetype - Dawning

Year of Release: 2002
Label: independent release
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 66:42:00

I will save you the details of Archetype's history but the band formed in 1997 and completed their full length debut album Dawning in December 2001.

I don't like to pigeon-hole bands too much but for the needy out there, Archetype play some very intriguing progressive metal with an incredible punch of melodic heavy power metal. Let me explain. Under heavy, I mean Chris Matyus plays some brutal riffs with cuts and breaks reminding me at times of Evergrey or the heavier songs of Pain Of Salvation but slightly more up paced and not without finding the switch to change into clean and melodic tones when called for. Also, Chris throws some very nice neoclassic movements into the solos on some songs. Keith Zeigler on drums complements this heavy wall of guitars with very driving and moderately paced rhythms. Lot's of double kicks here combined with odd time signatures, breaks, and reverse beats. The rhythm combination of Jamie Still's bass runs and Keith's drumming reminds me of Spiral Architect meets Andromeda even though not quite as fusion and therefore more accessible. Last but not least, frontman Greg Wagner who has a very powerful voice can sing clean and melodic but also loud and aggressive. He even adds some short death-grunts into the songs - something I usually don't like but here it seems to underline the darker morbid moments to the sometimes melancholic lyrics.

Archetype is comprised of some very talented musicians and the quality of play throughout the album is only second to the originality rating of the songs on Dawning. One of the great things about the album is the consistency where every song connects musically and once you got used to their intriguing playing style you can pick a song as being Archetype from a mile away. Chris Matyus himself together with Ed Tomecko received credits for the production of Dawning which by the way, for an independent release, is magnificent.

Now follow the link and get yourself a copy of Archetype!

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Final Day (6:32) / Hands of Time (4:28) / Dawning (6:58) / Dissension's Wake (5:25) / Inside Your Dreams (6:08) / Premonitions (6:48) / Visionary (6:52) / Arisen (5:08) / The Mind's Eye (5:23) / Years Ago (12:37)

Musicians:
Chris Matyus - guitars
Greg Wagner - vocals
Keith Zeigler - drums
Jamie Still - bass

Discography:
Archetype (demo) (1998)
Hands Of Time (1999)
Dawning (2002/2004)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin US

Added: November 26th 2004
Reviewer: Peter Fundeis
Score:
Artist website: www.archetype1.com
Hits: 2077
Language: english