Versão Inglesa
2006 was a very interesting year for American Metal; the good old kind without the “nu-“ prefix or the “core” suffix. It's always great to know that across the pond there are still new bands that know how to shred it and Outworld have outdone them all.
So what made last year such a great year for up and coming decent American bands? Well, to start with, Dark Empire, then Cellador, then Benedictum, to name the ones I enjoyed the most. It was as if America had discovered the “soloing” concept once more. All would be fine if it wasn't for Rusty Cooley's intention to release the first LP of his Outworld project, something of an underground myth. I'm sure there aren't many people out there who are into metal and have never heard of Rusty Cooley. If you haven't, shame on you. If you have, you'll know how an amazing shredder this guy is, and you'll probably buy this record no matter what I say.
Still, I'll say it: this is a Killer album on all accounts! You'll get swept away from the beginning with the superb riffing of “Raise Hell” where the band's numerous progressive elements come to light as atmospheric keyboards flow under the potent guitar and superb voice of Kelly Carpenter.
After hearing Kelly in Beyond Twilight's Section X, I was sure that he could kill in any album and this one just about proves it, as he uses pretty much everything he can do with his voice, from the rougher tones to the highest pitch screams. He has stunning moments in this album, one of them being “The Grey Tide”, a very strong tune where he screams his lungs out.
Back to the music, very heavy and technically achieved Prog-metal with neoclassic roots is what we have from top to bottom with amazing guitar work by Rusty. His shredding at the beginning of “Riders” is great, and the heavy riffing and fast soloing are clear highlights of the album. I particularly like when Rusty becomes clearly neoclassical like in “City of the Dead” and the delicious instrumental “Prelude to Madness”, 1:28min of awesome solo, over melancholic piano. Rusty is pretty much at the beginning of his career, but you can bet he will become an icon.
Yet, no matter how dominant Rusty is, there is enough space for each instrument to have it's moment of glory and you'll have a lot of duels between the keyboards and the guitar, great drumming and great bass lines. A great, intricate, virtuoso work is done by Bobby Williamson with the keys and I can't stress that enough. Unquestionably!
Although you may feel that they sometimes waste too much time on technical demonstration, “Outworld” is not even by a close margin an overdone collection of technical masturbation and I don't think the band ever steps beyond the kind of lengthy instrumentals that will make you press fast forward. Fans of bands like Dream Theater may find this appealing, if they are ready for something a lot heavier than DT. You'll hardly find anything branded “progressive” that will top this one for year 2006.
“Outworld” is a concept album of sorts. The cover is very striking and hints at an anti-utopian world ruled by corporations with citizens kept under strict monitoring. The Lyrics all point to this “weary world decays beneath a veil of cold synthetic light” where “as the businessmen feed, Truth and beauty bleed” while “the camera is watching you”. What I can say is that the band's aggressive mix of prog, neoclassic and heavy are spot on for such a concept and clearly let you in on the darkness, violence and rebellion of that “Outworld”.
If I was to point out a song that sums everything up, it would be “I. Thanatos”. It's incredibly dark, powerful and even sounds to transpire some of the madness it's lyrics hint at, and it will amaze you. If I'm right, this may have a sequel and I'll be waiting for it.
My problem right now is that Kelly Carpenter is credited with the concept that I love so much to this album. But Kelly managed to get himself fired from Beyond Twilight and then leaves Outworld less than a year later. I don't know what is wrong with him, but unless he finds some stability, no matter how great his talent is, he will become a footnote and little more. I guess that he was not totally into the band or something and I feel some of his vocals suffered: no matter how amazing they are for the most, a few parts feel underdone, and yet a few others sound overdone. And that is a shame as I feel Kelly has a lot to offer to the metal world.
In the meantime Carlos Zema was brought in to replace Kelly and I hope Carlos will sound even better, but I also hope that the lyrics for the next album will maintain the quality of the ones in “Outworld” and, if possible, with the same sombre atmosphere to it! I just love that kind of dark utopia theme.
It is my deepest wish that “Outworld” have come to stay and outdo themselves. I know for certain that more stuff like the one I'm hearing right now is something I can't get enough!
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