Time Lost

In the second half of the 90’s Enchant issued 3 albums in a quick succession. Since the guys have always had daytime jobs parallel to the music aspirations, it’s amazing that they pulled this off with such high-quality results. Time Lost came after the bit disappointing Wounded disc but this time we got Enchant in their full artistic enchantment.

The biggest sign of regained song writing wit is the returned otherworldly atmosphere. It’s masterfully combined with the overdriven riffs; it’s totally spot on. The overwhelming use of minor chord progressions and the transcendental background synth carpet lends a timeless feel to the whole album. This late 90’s feeling always induces nostalgy in me and in my books, this is what music should do – lift the listener to another world.

The first 4 songs are all major winners, especially New Moon and Foundations being in the group of the best Enchant songs ever written. It’s said the 3rd album is usually the hardest to deliver because of the massive expectations towards the band but there is literally “nothing to see here”. This album just kills it. Has everything what a progressive rock fan would desire.

Ted Leonard is again on the top of the Olympus, he sings the stars off the sky, his throat is golden, and he is definitely the primary reason why these songs work. It’s just shocking how he is able to control his vocal cords, in his “hands” they really function as an instrument. Doug did not litter the songs with solos this time, feels they were written rather to support Ted’s vocal acrobatics.

Spotify has also the demo version of Under the Sun with a different chorus. Let’s say, it was an appreciated move to alter the chorus on the album version. In this demo form it curves back to the annoying type of melodies that were present on Wounded.

All in all, this is a highly recommended disc from Enchant, for anybody who would want to submerge into a prog rock fused with mystic atmosphere and mesmerizing melodies, look no further.