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THE ESSENCE OF INFINITY
Tracklist: The Voice Without (5.33); Shadow of a Lie (6.37); It's Only For Forever (4.50)
Hailing from San Antonio in Texas,
'Of Infinity' are really something of a 'trans American' act. The original idea for the band was born in 1999 as the result of a collaboration between guitarist Nazareth Sando (formally of Little Rock's Fallen Empire) and vocalist/synthasist Alessandra Zinicola, who at the time were based in New Jersey and Arkansas. The search for suitable band members put them in contact with bassist Kurtis Kyllo from Salt Lake City, and finally, after settling in San Antonio, Texas, the picture was completed with the addition of drummer, Carlos Teller.
Despite having existed in spirit at least since 1999, this three track EP is the bands first generally available recording, and I
have to say that it shows enormous promise. Although flagged as a 'demo', the sound is truly superb and quite frankly I have heard full length recordings by artists on commercial labels that cannot touch it for quality.
The music they play is possibly best described as Gothic Metal with very strong melodic progressive edge, and though the band's biography states that they have been compared with the likes of Lacuna Coil,
Evanescence, Nightwish, and Theatre Of Tragedy, I believe that there is a far richer diversity to their sound than this would perhaps suggest.
The first track featured on the CD is "The Voice Without" which from the outset has a dark, brooding mood utilising heavy guitar work against a much lighter flowing piano sound.
Alessandra Zinicola does a fantastic job with the vocals. Her singing comes over with a sense of conviction and shows a great degree of versatility in terms of both range and power, and there is never any doubt at all that she retains complete control over her delivery throughout. Also of note here is the final, albeit short, instrumental section which conveys an eerie mood using a musical box like sound very reminiscent of Arena.
"Shadow of a Lie" begins more softly with acoustic guitar and violin getting things underway.
There is almost a progressive/folk edge to the music here which reminded me of early 'Solstice'. It is not long before drums guitar and bass power in to the mix, but although this injects a heavier tone to the track it is pleasing to note that the violin sounds stay well up in the mix. The nature of this track is such that the vocals are generally a little flatter then before, but there is still no fault to find in this department. Aside from the aforementioned violin work the first half of this song is perhaps a little on the plain side but just past the half way mark things get a lot more interesting and the contrast between violin and harder edged guitar theme is really quite something.
The last of the three pieces, "It's Only For Forever", is perhaps my favourite of all. A rocking piano introduction is followed up with a powerful lead guitar line which builds on the opening
theme. This keeps going through out, but the power is eased off a little during the vocal sections allowing Allessandro's singing to shine through. Overall the sound has a wonderful layered feel to it,
and ultimately I am put in mind of a harder hitting 'Blackmores Night'.
When all is said and done this EP is a real pleaser and the only disappointment in my mind is that there is not more of it, but then I have to stress that this is an excellent package that offers great value
for money and for a mere $5 it is a cd well worth getting hold of.
In terms of both quality and content this is without doubt an excellent debut release - here is hoping that a full length CD is soon to follow!!!
Simon 07th November 2004
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