As most of you (perhaps) haven't heard of Betrayal before, I give you a short history about the band first. It all started late eighties when Marcus Colon, Brian Meuse and Jeff Lain joined thrash-metal band Martyr. However, band-leader Dave Prado decided to move to another part of the USA and so he took the bandname with him. The three who remained behind were joined by vocalist Chris Ackerman and guitarist Matt Maners. Thus Betrayal was formed. Two albums were made but partly due to an unfortunate car-accident in May 1993, they decided to disband. In 1999 the news reached me that Betrayal is back in the land of the living and now here's Leaving Nevermore. Basically it's Marcus Colon who pushes this. You might call this the Marcus Colon Band if you like for he's the only band-member mentioned on the CD and he wrote all the music and played most of the instruments. But don't think this album lacks variation! On the contrary, this record runs over with it. Unlike his thrashy past, the music on Leaving Nevermore contains elements of styles such as electronic, gothic and alternative rock. In some songs that's what's prominent. A song that fits this description is To Follow with only a gently echoing electric guitar and lots of keyboards thrown in. On the other hand there are heavier elements that remind me a bit of earlier Betrayal. You can hear this in a song like The Review with furious guitar-playing and a solo. But even here the modern influences are present. Overall, the music on this disc has kind of a moody atmosphere. Besides Colon, former Betrayal Matt Maners helped recording this album and Chris Duncan did guest vocals on one song. My impression of this CD is that there are many great ideas. In several songs the various elements come together to form great anthems and the more I listen to them, the more I start appreciating. Compared to the past, I say it's for eighty percent a different band. Marcus Colon plans to form a new band. So, the future will prove if this will remain the Colon Project or not. I'm interested. Available through Betrayal.
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #82Reviewed by Doug Van PeltMarcus Colon has not been sitting idly by. He's been listening and taking notice. It's funny that he's chosen a somewhat gothic direction, since Betrayal was somewhat associated with Sanctuary in the 80's, and Sanctuary made a definitive decision to go after the Marilyn Manson crowd (I know, I know, Manson's not real goth!). Anyway, Marcus has almost single-handedly put together this album of…Similar sounding releases
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2003Ashton NyteSinister Swing
2004The CureJoin The Dots: B-Sides & Rarities, 1978-2001More from Betrayal
1993The Passing
2001The Passing Of Time
1991Renaissance by Death
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2002In Remembrance Of Me
