WAKEN EYES – Exodus (2015)

“Exodus” is the debut album from all-star progressive metal band WAKEN EYES, including the talents of Henrik Båth [Darkwater] on vocals, Mike Lepond [Symphony X] on bass, and terrific Marco Minnemann [Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert] on drums.
Founded by young Swedish guitarist Tom Frelek who composed all the songs, this new band blends elaborated progressive songs with a melodic metal catchiness.

When listening to “Exodus”, I cannot help but give credit to the amazing arrangements of Tom Frelek. Being the band’s guitarist and keyboardist, much of the compositions revolve around these instruments.
Take the song ‘Palisades’ as example, with multiple guitar rhythms playing simultaneously during the amazing solo in the bridge, I applaud the complexity and time it took to master such a difficult section.
In addition to these guitar sections are masterfully performed keyboards / synthesizers, as evidenced in the opening track ‘Cognition’. This intriguing introduction sets the stage, incorporating tribal percussion techniques, ethereal keys and cinematic guitar chords, almost sounding like the introduction of a Dream Theater album.

“Exodus” contains many moments of melodic metal inspired songs as well, while also bringing things down with necessary softer arrangements. The first half of ‘Cornerstone Away’ uses tremolo-pedaled, clean guitar in a supporting role to both Henrik Båth and a guest female vocalist. It all changes halfway through when the rest of the band joins in, but the listener is still left with a lasting impression of calmness and the duality of vocals.
The following ‘Still Life’ also works in much the same way, combining pristine and overdriven guitars with complementing bass lines. For a while, the track reminds me of something Polish band Riverside would write, that is, until the technical, speed picking of Frelek comes in. I particularly enjoyed this track because of its mellow, calm melodic nature.

Two of best tracks on “Exodus” are its closing ones, being ‘Across The Horizon’ and the epic nineteen minute title track. The former starts off slower like some of the preceding tracks, but quickly picks up pace with altering time signature riffs. Towards the end, though, is when the song hits overdrive, with impressive sweep picking and tremolo picking in both rhythm and lead sections.
Final cut, the title track, takes you on an ‘exodus’ of its own through different movements and arrangements. The opening piano and synth gears the listener for a trek as Bath sings lyrics of love, peace, and war. You will experience many different emotions through this composition, too many to list. All I can say is to find some decent headphones and enjoy every detail.

While I said the music is revolving around Tom Frelek’s guitars, the performance of all ‘prog stars’ involved is superb. “Exodus” would not be as good as this without them.
For being a vocalist I’d never heard before this album, I was truly amazed by Henrik Båth and his incredible range. With that classic melodic metal flair, his voice dances between mid-register and higher yells beautifully.
While songs like ‘Across The Horizon’ show his mellow approach, others like ‘Aberration’ allow the listener to be moved by his passionate higher modulation.

And the rhythm section is stellar: Mike Lepond delivers some deep, rich tonal bass lines, while Marco Minnemann shines all over. The man already displayed his abilities with Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani or Paul Gilbert to name few, but this could possibly be one of his heaviest performances on record.
Adapting his style to a more prog metal approach, Minnemann was able to crank out all the drum sections on this album in four days! Only someone as brilliant as him could perfect the elaborated passages of theis album in that little of time. Just listen the aforementioned Aberration’ and tell me Minnemann isn’t one of the world’s most talented percussionists.

I am thoroughly impressed with super-group Waken Eyes’ first release “Exodus”. It’s got all of the necessary artistry that comes with progressive rock and metal, but can also invoke moments of traditional melodic metal.
“Exodus” is a highly recommended listen to anyone who already listens to each member’s original bands, but for those who are also fans of Dream Theater, Circus Maximus, Fates Warning, etc.
In short; elaborated progressive metal, clean, polished, melodic and above all, always entertaining.
Two thumbs up.

01 – Cognition
02 – Aberration
03 – Deafening Thoughts
04 – Back To Life
05 – Palisades
06 – Cornerstone Away
07 – Still Life
08 – Arise
09 – Across The Horizon
10 – Exodus

Henrik Båth (Darkwater) – Vocals
Mike Lepond (Symphony X) – Bass
Tom Frelek – Guitars, Keyboards, Orchestration
Marco Minnemann (Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani) – Drums
Kristine Bishop – add. Vocals on 6
Piotr Sopa – add. Keyboards on 1
thanks to Kenny @ crashandridemusic

BUY IT !
www.amazon.com/Exodus-Waken-Eyes/dp/B013O6PV1Y
.