Customer Reviews

The August Engine

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I first listened to this album two years ago, I wasn't sure what to make of it. Somewhat odd song structures, droning vocals (male and female), and softer acoustic passages all combine to make an almost disorienting first listen.

I'm really glad I decided to keep it, because turned out to be one of my favorite albums of all time. I'd compare them to Iron Maiden and Metallica because you can hear subtle influences from both bands, but it's really a very unique outfit. Here's the breakdown by track:

1. "The August Engine Part. 1" - this is an instrumental passage, a very POWERFUL instrumental passage. Crunchy power chords, solid rhythm, and melodic lead guitars create a haunting sound you'll hear throughout the album. Great way to start an album, and it ends with a dueling electric and acoustic guitar leading into track two.

2. "Rainfall" - This is an acoustic song, so you'd think it would be calming and relaxing. But everything's just a bit... Off. And in a good way. The female vocals are eerily off tune, as is the beginning piano phrase. The lyrics are disquietingly innocent, and the acoustic guitar sounds like (you guessed it) rain all through the song.

3. "A Room and a Riddle" - Just as the acoustic song ends, BAM, you're smacked with a sudden barrage of guitars. Not thrashy guitars, mind you, but melodic ones. There's even a guitar solo hidden in here somewhere. The lyrics, combined with some innovative instrumental techniques create a rather sinister atmosphere here.

4. "The August Engine Part 2" - These guys could probably be labeled progressive metal because of their unique sound, and this 9 minute long song would fit right in. It starts off pretty slow and uninspired, with lyrics that almost sound angsty, and an instrumental line that flows almost totally with the vocals, but after a few minutes the woman comes in and the song almost seems upbeat before it breaks into an instrumental passage, bringing back the sinister and haunting sound, but also adding some despair, ending on a rather angry note.

5. "Insect" - This one starts out with the lovely acoustic guitars this band uses to such great effect, but then it turns electric and both vocalists come in at the same time and their voices sound disquieting on top of each other. This one is more urgent, but they sacrifice none of their eery atmosphere.

6. "The Doomed Parade" - A dark acoustic passage marks the beginning of this one, but it quickly switches gears into a haunting guitar montage where the atmosphere is so complete it's almost as if you're there. This is probably my favorite track on the album.

7. "The Trial And The Grave" - At eleven minutes long you're probably thinking this song goes on forever. And you'd be right. The woman's vocals are eerily off tune throughout this thing, but it doesn't work as well as it did earlier in the album. Partly because the instrumental backup is a plodding guitar and bass combination that makes the song seem to drag on even longer than it really does. This album has one flaw, and this track is it.


This is a VERY good album, and I'm glad I had the fortune of stumbling upon it when I did. If you like progressive metal, gothic metal, black metal, or even straight up heavy metal you'll probably like this album.

If you like said songs this it. Reminds me of a less thrash and more folk version of Nevermore. I like it personally and its much worthy of trying out.

If you like Thin Lizzy and early Iron Maiden, Judas Priest AND progressive rock like King Crimson, Yes, etc., I think you'll like this album. It is my favorite album of the 21st-century, so far.

Well, HoM have their own sound, I'll give them that. Going for a heavy folk influence with overwrought drumming (always a turn-off for me), mixed male/female vocals, lots of accoustic sections, etc. It's not bad, but to me it sounds too 'random', as though the band started playign and just wandered off through the wilderness. If you want straight-out power metal this is not the album for you.

Got this for my husband for Christmas, and it was late due to being shipped from Germany, which I have to say I did not know about until it was too late. However, that could have been my own fault, maybe I just didn't see where from it was being shipped. Anyway, once it got here, my hubby has been very very pleased with it!!