ATHENA
Athena - A New Religion? (Rising Sun)
1998
1. "In
The Beginning" [intro] (:39)
2. "A New Religion" (5:30)
3. "Soul Sailor" (4:13)
4. "Apocalypse" (4:44)
5. "Every Word I Whisper" (3:42)
6. "Dead Man Walkin'" (3:46)
7. "My Silence" (6:44)
8. "Secret Vision" (6:14)
9. "The Keeper" (3:30)
10. "Twisted Feel" (5:19)
11. "Not Too Far" (3:40)
Athena are an Italian metal band fronted by Rhapsody/Vision Divine vocalist Fabio Lione. Athena aren't as technical and complex as Rhapsody, but still play a majestic and melodic style progressive metal that retains the aggression and speed of power metal. A few songs like "Apocalypse" are much heavier than anything I have heard any of Fabio's other bands, while songs like the melodic "My Silence" are much more melodic. This particular song sounds a bit like Images & Words-era Dream Theater. The beautiful mix of keyboards, crunchy guitar tones and dynamic song writing really have that Dream Theater quality to them. Even Fabio's vocals have that quality in this particular song. "Twisted Feel" also has a strong Dream Theater-vibe to it, despite the use of distortion on the vocals and the slight funk drive to the song. Album closer "Not Too Far" is a beautiful and majestic piano ballad. 'A New Religion?' is a strong power/progressive metal album that is obviously influenced by Dream Theater, but also has a flavor all it's own. This import was given to me as a gift from a friend in Norway. (Thanks Kurt)