ENCHANT – The Great Divide (2014)
*
If there was triumvirate of seminal American melodic progressive rock bands at the turn of this Century, it was likely Spock’s Beard, Dream Theater and, the band we consider today, ENCHANT. From the San Francisco bay area, Enchant has been of the radar for the best of a decade.
“The Great Divide” marks their return and their first studio album in eleven years.
While the lapse has been long, largely due to engulfing personal matters of band members, this new album is a return to form for Enchant. Actually, in the very best sense, the music sounds like a page from the past or, perhaps better, another chapter in a book that has never closed.
“The Great Divide” is the strongest group of songs since 1996’s ‘Wounded’ and finds the band rejuvenated with a refreshed Enchant-Prog sound. The production is tight and Ted Leonard ’s vocals sound more mature and in control than never before.
Enchant’s familiar themes of melodic, lightly complex compositions, strong doses of guitar and keyboards, and straightforward harmonious vocal arrangements are once more self-evident.
One of the characteristics that has always impressed about Enchant is their ability to dovetail the sharpness and heaviness common to progressive metal with this inherent gentleness.
It’s an odd relationship to explain, but easily found within “The Great Divide”, “Here and Now” and, possibly more so, with bonus track “Prognosticator”. That song has some strong riffs and a deep bass line, pushing the band more towards the heaviness that Dream Theater can pursue, but not nearly as ‘metal’ as, say, Symphony X.
The album kicks off with the upbeat rocker, “Circles”, which incorporates some layered vocal harmonies over Bill Jenkins’ synth sounds. The band have always shined in the instrumental sections and that is no different here. Doug Ott’s guitar is as recognizable as ever and his solo here is a sign of more great things to come throughout the album.
One of the highlights of the record is the second track “Within an Inch” delicious offering flexible arrangements. The chorus, with its harmonies over the lead guitar part, is unrelenting in its catchiness. This part gives way to a wonderful double hi-hat keyboard solo section.
Sometimes a song can sound like a merger between Prog and AOR / Melodic Rock like “Life In A Shadow”, thanks to the smooth vocal arrangement and more than subtle rock groove.
“All Mixed Up” picks up on that groove somewhat but is more a curiosity. It’s heavy, with this marching tempo starting the song and introducing the chorus, only to move into a lighter movement. This, in turn, builds to the bring back the heavy refrain. Besides the lyrical concept, maybe the music has something to say about the title.
Enchant’s return to the scene is a real success. “The Great Divide” contains over an hour’s of rather interesting and entertaining Melodic Progressive Rock, a bit edgy at times which provides even more nuances to their stylized sound.
Tons of layers, guitar and keyboard solos, elaborated arrangements, great chorus melodies; you will find no shortage of those here. And you will be pleased with the result.
Strongly Recommended.
01 – Circles
02 – Within An Inch
03 – The Great Divide
04 – All Mixed Up
05 – Transparent Man
06 – Life In A Shadow
07 – Deserve To Feel
08 – Here and Now
09 – Prognosticator (bonus track)
Ted Leonard – vocals, guitar
Doug Ott – guitars
Ed Platt – bass
Sean Flanegan – drums
Bill Jenkins – keyboards
BUY IT !
www.insideoutmusicshop.com/enchant-the-great-divide-pre-order.html
.
