Mystic

This album has an interesting set of influences. Heavy usage of Eastern (think Asian) chord progressions and instrumentation are clear, hitting all over the place from the all-encompassing synths to the guitarwork. It's the second album from Elderoth, whose studio efforts are written/recorded entirely by one guy - Collin McGee.

The primary strength of the album is the guitarwork. Collin McGee is primarily a guitarist, after all. However, there's big usage of synths that push the album into having an almost electronic sound. The result is a dreamy atmospheric instrumental soundscape amidst impressive guitarwork that persists throughout.

McGee has improved vocally since his first release. He still isn't exactly a master, but at least he doesn't sound like a crazy drunk dude anymore here. In fact, he sounds relatively competent in many places. It's a bit too bad that the lyrics are the most lackluster part of the album, being very very repetitive, and overly vague (although that somewhat contributes to the dreamy feel of the album). You'll hear song after song of chanting nonsense such as "The shades of light are blinding overnight." The kind of overstretching to get perfect end rhyme in lyrics that makes lyrics sound juvenile. More effort is needed in the lyrics.

I don't want to riff on the lyrics too badly because you can tune them out and just enjoy the combination of guitarwork and dense atmosphere. For an independent release, it sure sounds great production-wise. Very full, pristine recording quality. The style is sometimes weirdly pop or dance-influenced. You can hear what I mean in My Future which sounds sort of like trance music? It's not bad per se, but you rarely something like that under the metal umbrella. It's an interesting approach and definitely feels different. Regardless, Collin's guitars bring it home for metal fans regardless of the song structure he implements. Songs like Falling Star, even while somewhat repetitive lyrically, have riffs running throughout keeping you interested. Even if you're not feeling a song, sooner or later Collin will come in with some guitarwork and you'll be saying to yourself "there we go!" This, combined with the interesting Asian influence to guitarwork and synths, is the main attraction of the album.