I don't see how to review this album without references to bands like Dream Theater, Fates Warning, and Queensryche (OK keep in mind I'm talking about their EARLY albums when they were still playing metal!) All secular bands yes, but that's because I've never heard any Christian band playing this style of music with this level of competence. They have that Dream Theater feel to their music without being overly artsy as DT gets sometimes. They have some very dark overtones similar to Queensryche's Operation: Mindcrime album as well.
This music is huge, epic, haunting, and completely enchanting. I had a huge grin on my face the first few listen throughs. The guitar work presented is highly technical with focus on precision. NOTHING sloppy about this music in any manner. The vocals are so close to being Geoff Tate I'm afraid copyright laws may have been slightly infringed upon. The keyboards take different tones throughout the entire album, you never know what they are going to sound like or what level they are going to be mixed at. Sometimes they become the driving force (think Europe) other times they create background atmosphere that terrifies you.
No one word can ever fit this album. Apocalyptic, doom, neo-classical metal. That's about as short as I can get it. Force me into the one word scenario and I'd have to use "indispensable."
9/10
Other coverage for this album
Art for the Ears 1999Reviewed by Marco PovervestSweden's Veni Domine is here with their third excellent effort. The band has now a new line-up after bass-player Magnus Thormann left. Gabriel Ingemarson does bass now and keyboard-player Mattias Cederlund was added. Spiritual Wasteland follows the Veni Domine line of albums well, though it's not as doomy like Material Sanctuary. It still has the characteristic sound of the band due to the high…HM Magazine #74Reviewed by Doug Van PeltIt's a shame that this band is still without retail distribution in the USA, after their Fall Babylon Fall debut on R.E.X. several years ago. Like its previous two albums, Spiritual Wasteland takes the listener on a gothic and classic metal journey. While there's not an obvious storyline, there is the consistent outlook of sorrow and faithful survival of believers in a cold and controlled…Dead Zine 1998Reviewed by SORGThe masters of "neo-classical, end of the world, doom, melodic power" metal are back! With what I consider their best disc to date! This release is doomier than their first (Fall Babylon Fall) and more accessible than their second (Material Sanctuary). The guitars are melodic, pristine, and technical. This should appeal to fans of Dream Theater and Fates Warning. The vocals have a ton of power…Similar sounding releases
2001Saviour MachineLegend III:I
1997Fates WarningA Pleasant Shade of Gray
2002The AwakeningRoadside Heretics
1995Vox DeiCiudad Distante
1994ApostlePrepare To Meet God
1998IlluminatorIlluminator
