Memoirs Of A Broken Man - Future's End (2009)

[RelentlessOblivion]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]35[/ATTACH] Artist: Future's End Album: Memoirs Of A Broken Man Year: 2009 Genre: Progressive/Power Metal Label: Nightmare Records track listing 1. Relentless Chaos (7:04) 2. Inner Self (7:01) 3. Endless Journey (4:29) 4. Your Decay (6:08) 5. Beyond Despair (5:28) 6. Share The Blame (5:54) 7. Forsaken (6:54) 8. Stand To Fall (6:44) 9. Terrors Of War (7:28) 10. Remember Tomorrow (5:59) 11. Powerslave [iron Maiden Cover] (7:02) Memoirs Of A Broken Man is the debut release from California based Prog/Power metallers Future's End. it is a concept album dealing with the mental breakdown of a man, the protaganist, after his experiences in war and the percieved abandonment of his God, these are themes which are often touched upon in metal, and particularly in progressive metal, but rarely expressed in such a poignant fashion. Future's End are noticeably heavier then many of their contemporaries, and showcase their technical prowess frequently however this is incorporated well throughout the album, you will not find technicality for the sake of it on this album. The tempo of this album is rather quick and songs feel shorter then they actually are, a fact which, considering the intimidating length of this album is almost necessary to avoid boredom. Also keeping the listener from growing tired is the interplay between heavier riffs which seem almost thrash-like, and more melodic sections of varying and intricate natures. Relentless Chaos, the opening track on the album, is an outstanding setup beginning with a spoken section over the sound of a typewriter before launching into a high energy, melodic riff, this lasts only briefly but is followed by the thrash-like madness described above. this interplay continues throughout the track and coupled with the lyrics which describe what seems to be a paranoid man plagued by the shadows of atrocities committed in his life, create a song which is more then capable of soliciting an emotional response from the listener Beyond Despair is the ballad which seems all too prevalent on progressive metal albums, the vocals are emotional and the clean guitar playing suits such vocal delivery but the song is largely skippable unless one is in the mood for such material, if ballads are your thing then this is perhaps the best metal ballad you'll hear but otherwise just move on to the next track Share The Blame begins with an extended symphonic section before moving smoothly into an intricate melodic riff, this in turn gives way to a mid-tempo verse featuring a new melody and powerful vocals, on this song the chorus is the thrashier element whilst the verses are more melodic. Terrors Of War is the third last track on this album, it features one of the finest riffs on the entire album which kicks the song off rather well before being substituted for another outstanding melody. The vocals are extremely descriptive of what one could reasonably expect a frontline soldier to experience in war and can be troubling at times if one is in a particularly emotional mood when listening to it. Powerslave (Iron Maiden cover) this track closes the album out, for a cover of what is among the finest metal songs ever recorded this is surprisingly well executed, the track maintains it's majesty but the band add their own twists to it, this is exactly what a cover should be, the perfect balance between the original song and the covering artists style. Ripping Songs: Relentless Chaos, Inner Self, Endless Journey, Your Decay, Forsaken, Terrors Of War, Powerslave (Iron Maiden Cover) Score: 85/100

[Iceni]

That's probably the score I'd give to the album too, although my favorite track is Share the Blame.

[RelentlessOblivion]

I couldn't pick a favourite track from the album.