It took me some time to review this CD as I've had it for awhile now. The reason is simply I was trying to find the direction I wanted to take with this review. The music presented here is without a doubt talented and very interesting metal. However the name of this CD really does say it all. You are getting demo quality music. The tear sheet I got with this CD did say that this material was originally intended to be professionally recorded, and was not going to be released in this format but with a good bit of interest in the music through MP3.COM the band decided to go ahead and make the CD available. That's cool I respect that in offering your fans at least something to tide them over until a real full length album can be released.
Now getting down to the actual music. As I stated it's really good metal along the thrash lines although not blazing fast all the time. Eden in Ruins shows its ability to move from speedy tracks to slower yet extremely heavy tracks without losing continuity of the music. Vocals seem to struggle on some of the tracks (typically when he tries to go high, the lower vocals all work well) but overall the approach is just right for this music. It reminds me actually of a slightly heavier style than Ethereal Scourge used. The guitars are the real highlight of this CD. Very creative riffs, and leads that are downright awesome! Drumming is an area they really need to improve in. Pretty much every track the drums are used simply to keep time and create the low end, no creativity at all here. Not to mention them being mixed so low that you can really only just hear them at all. Bass lines are lost in the muddy rhythm guitars and just become some of that underlying noise you hear. Without a doubt the best track here is 'Heavy Against Me' followed closely by the opening track 'Corridors of Deception.' The track 'Bringer of Balance' was a very early 90's styled thrash song.
This CD is a full 14 songs long, and you get 2 versions of 'Heavy Against Me' plus a couple of instrumentals (the atmospheric keyboard only instrumental of 'Reflection of What Once Was' was quite unexpected). However, the $8.00 price tag it presently has seems a bit too much to me just simply due to the quality of the recording. With so many bands on MP3.COM offering CDs at the minimum price of $5.99 this would have been an excellent candidate for that price point. Bottom line on this one is I highly suggest you trek on over to MP3.COM and download a couple of their songs. They've got quite a few songs available and if you dig them, and feel the production is not bothersome then get a CD. They are certainly worth your time in checking them out.
6/10
Other coverage for this album
Art for the Ears 2000Reviewed by Marco PovervestHow would you like the Mona Lisa if a thick veil covered this painting that graces a wall in Les Louvres, Paris? Well, my idea of this recording is that it contains music that's covered by a veil. What a dull sound! The guitars, the drums, they all sound so distant that you can't hear them in all glory. Just like a painting covered by a veil. This is regrettable as the music is interesting and…
