AMASEFFER: Exodus - Slave For Life (PROGRESSIVE METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Amaseffer comes from Israel and works from his first (and last?) opus on an ambitious trilogy telling, according to the Old Testament, the exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt. The first part, "Slaves for Life", focuses on the slavery and oppression exercised by the new Pharaoh on the Israelites by imposing forced labor.

Musically, "Exodus - Slave For Life" is a mix of progressive metal and oriental music. The philharmonic orchestra adds a side of film music sometimes very pronounced. For proof, the titles "Birth of Deliverance", whose introduction reminds the greatest Hollywood adventure productions, or "Return to Egypt".

Amaseffer does not hesitate to develop his ideas throughout this 77 minutes album with not less than 3 tracks of more than 11 minutes. A deepening which never tires as the themes are rich and varied. "Midian", one of the summits of the work makes hear an orchestra in pizzicato way Saga in Generation 13, with even the voice of extraterrestrial, sometimes howlings and powerful riffs of guitars and very well supported by an infallible rhythmic. The voices are alternately in oriental and occidental harmonies, sometimes simultaneously, with oriental choirs behind the singer, Mats Leven.

The latter has an undeniable talent, often approaching Jorn Lande and bringing enormously to the whole. The contrast between his vocal lines and the general oriental atmosphere make the whole endearing, giving points of reference to the usual audience of Beyond Twilight or Ark, even Dream Theater. The duet "Zipporah" with Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy), perfectly illustrates this contrast (one of the rare 'relaxing' moments of the album).

Erez Yohanan's narration, in Hebrew, adds an absolutely bewitching dark side to this story. In "Wooden Staff", this voice is synthesized and made as fluid as water. Of the most beautiful effect! The atmosphere is reinforced by sound effects worthy of the best Pink Floyd. From the first seconds until the end, the atmosphere will be underlined by sounds illustrating the scene, the theme or the emotion, going as far as being inseparable from the composition.

In short, "Exodus - Slave For Life" is really an excellent album! Oriental influences are not rare in metal, whether progressive or not, but here it's a question of fusion more than influences. A beautifully produced, epic CD that will definitely please Orphaned Land fans. - Official website

AMASEFFER

EXODUS - SLAVE FOR LIFE

INSIDEOUT MUSIC

PROGRESSIVE METAL