Customer Reviews

Consortium Project IV ""Children of Tomorrow

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Multi-instrumentalist Henning Pauly's second Frameshift album An Absence of Empathy is a very strong successor to his debut disc which featured James Labrie on vocals. This time around, the vocal duties are handled by another amazing Canadian vocalist: the mighty Sebastian Bach! Needless to say, hearing Bach on a progressive metal album isn't a very common thing, so I was very excited to hear when Pauly and Bach had joined forces to create the second Frameshift album. Henning Pauly, besides playing all instruments except the drums, has done pretty much all the songwriting with the exception of two tracks to which Bach made some lyrical changes. Pauly has also mixed, engineered and produced the album himself with some assistance from his friends Matt Cash and Adam Evers.

The subject matter explored on An Absence of Empathy is extremely intriguing! As its cover art suggests, the album is dark and very heavy lyrically. Basically it's a deep study on different forms of violence, be it the story of a serial killer in "Just One More"; a mother crying for her raped daughter in "In An Empty Room"; a soldier shooting people without knowing if they're soldiers or innocents on "Push the Button"; or simply a school shooting by rebelling students on "Outcast". I am thoroughly impressed by the depth of the lyrics on this album - the metaphors, wordplays and twisted imagery created are stunning. Each song depicts a different situation - not just sick-minded people taking the lives of innocents, but also normal people committing murder as on "I Killed You", which is about a man killing his wife for her act of betrayal in a moment of rage. However, the most moving songs lyrically are the 'torture' songs, "This is Gonna Hurt" and "How Long Can I Resist". Whilst the former tells a sick torturing story in a dark room from the torturer's point of view, the latter is told from the protagonist's eyes. Sebastian Bach portrays a wide spectrum of moods singing each song and takes you into the psyche of all these different people.

Musically the album is equally challenging. Although I've never heard Henning Pauly's solo album, out of all the Chain and Frameshift stuff, An Absence of Empathy is his most progressive creation to date. Also, it is slightly heavier than Unweaving the Rainbow. Though 74 minutes, the album is an incredibly quick listen. All songs flow into each other seamlessly, giving you no other option but hit play again after the last track. Pauly's songwriting skills are top notch. He gives each song character, style and passion. "Just One More", reminding me of Porcupine Tree's In Absentia due to its lyrical content, kicks in with a slightly electronic vibe that quickly transforms into a guitar-driven song with a fantastic chorus sung by Bach. "Miseducation" merges classic Hard'N Heavy grooves of bands like Skid Row with symphonic prog rock and has a modern "Youth Gone Wild"-like overall vibe.

The album's centrepieces are the two 9-minute monster tracks "I Killed You" with its ever-present changes of tempo and melody, going from ballad-like passages to experimental stuff to unbelievably complex harmonies that put Bach's brutal screams under the spotlight. Analog keys and fantastic synth solos permeat the song that are eventually complemented by a terrific guitar run that gives me goosebumps every time. "Blade", the other long number, is the hidden gem of the album. I thought it an average track after the first couple of listens, but now, I consider it one of the best on the album. It's a huge, epic track with masterfully crafted symphonic touches that evoke the movie Braveheart for some reason, and contains a killer Barbarian choir consisting of Bach himself, Henning Pauly, Matt Cash, Adam Evers and Jody Asworth from Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Not only does the choir lay down fantastic harmonies, but the chorus of this track is quite possibly the most beautiful and haunting vocal melody Bach has ever sung. Hearing that "In the end they may take all I love away, but not today!" line will send shivers down many a listener's spine. What a fantastic melody, what a fantastic song, what a fantastic vocal performance!

"In An Empty Room" and the closing track "What Kind of Animal" are the slower tracks on the disc, but they're far from cliche ballads. Actually I've never heard Bach sing the way he sings on "What Kind of Animal"; his vocals are so fragile on this track and he sings the lyrics with tons of emotion and conviction that will easily translate to the audience. From packaging to lyrics to overall concept, this is one of the best releases of the year so far. I can't recommend it enough. Now my only wish is that Henning Pauly teams up with Devin Townsend, another godly vocalist, for a future Frameshift release. Wouldn't that rule the world?

been listening to this cd for some time now in the car and it grows on you, its much better then i thougt the first time, wich is sometimes very good because that means it will last longer. the first song and 4, 9 and 11 are the songs i like the most now. the cd is a blend of metal and slower ballad metal or whatever you may callit, doesn't matter. Sebastian does a great job at the vocals and great riffs from henning, the music is also very varied and complex, sometimes like dream theater and you will always discover something new, just buy it and you wont be dissapointed. but its not like skid row or some other mainstream band for that matter, just something completely different for Bach so be prepared for that. thanx

Overall the musicianship on this album is very strong. Parts of this album will have you head-banging \m/ ,parts are so beautifully moving, and other parts are just neat. Top to bottom this album brings the goods. Sebastian Bach delivers an outstanding vocal performance (his best in years) that's full of emotion and beautifully conveys the intent of the music that was so wonderfully written by Henning Pauly and Matt Cash. Given Bach's tradition of rocky relationships with other artists, it's not surprising that this album is surrounded by controversy, but none of that deters from the fact this album is amazing. Techkid gave a very one-sided report of the situation. Anyone who has investigated both claims will have a very clear understanding of what went down and why. In any case, this album shreds. No prog, rock & roll, or metal collection is complete with out this CD.

I recently purchased this brand new Frameshift CD after hearing about it at [...]. Since he starred on broadway, Sebastian Bach has not only improved as a vocalist but also as a melody writer and lyricist. This CD combines the best of both genres of music from metal to progressive hard rock combining the melodic hook lines of Skid Row to the prog rock styles of bands like Dream Theatre. I would totally recommend this CD to any hard rock fan out there who is craving to hear fresh melodies and a raw hard rock sound. This definitely puts Sebastian Bach at the top of my list for one of hard rocks best and most versatile vocalists. Purchase your copy today and I'm sure you will agree that it is one of the top 5 best albums of 2005!

This is one of the most original and creative recordings I have heard in a long time. The concept behind this album is interesting but it's mostly the song writing and performances that put it over the top. "I Killed You", "This Is Gonna Hurt" and "In an Empty Room" are my favorite tracks. I've had this CD for months now and still can't stop listening to it. When I first got it, I had to ask, "Who is Henning Pauly and why haven't I heard of him before?" This level of musicianship and songwriting are not something you hear every day. Of course, I've known about Sebastian Bach for many, many years but I have to say his performances on this album are even more inspiring than anything I've ever heard him do with Skid Row. From reading their two respective websites, it sounds like they had somewhat of a falling out - that's a shame because the combination of the two is awe-inspiring. I really wish I'd be able to hear another collaboration by the two someday.

Frameshift is more of a progressive project rather than a band. It consist of two guys, who play all of the instruments, plus a vocalist. Frameshift's first album was lead by James LeBrie from Dream Theater. Their most recent effort, An Abscence of Empathy, Sebastian Bach, formerly of Skid Row, has taken over the vocal duties. Was this a smart move on Frameshift's part, or not? Read on to find out!

First, I'm a fan of progressive rock/metal. Within this genre you have bands such as: Dream Theater, Fates Warning, Symphony X, Pagan's Mind, and Redemption. Frameshift falls into this category, but their music hasn't appealed to me, until now. Why? That's simple, Sebastian Bach, or some of us like to call him Bas! Bas has brought so much to the table for this band, and has taken their formerly weak sound, over the top! In all fairness, the musicians are remarkable, so I'm not taking anything away from them! As a whole, Frameshift is a much stronger package, and I believe Bach has alot to do with that! If you enjoy strong musicianship and vocals, you can't go wrong with this release! If you enjoy crunchy, heavy music, you can't go wrong with this release! If you enjoy technical prowess and melody, you can't go wrong with this release! Do I have to say anymore? If you meet the previous criteria, then I suggest you buy Frameshift's - An Abscence of Empathy!

This Cd is well worth the purchase. Sebastian has the ability to sing any style music that he chooses. This CD has the sound of a musical / new age rock. I don't particulary care for the lyrics, but Sebastian makes anything sound good. I have listened to this CD nonstop since I purchased it. It's great!

I have to admit I bought this CD for Sebastian Bach's vocals, but have to say I am very impressed with Pauly's guitar work. The sound harkens back to the crunchy riff-driven metal/rock songs of the past. This is the CD Skid Row should have made. The vocals are clean and powerful, and the music is very well done.

While the lyrics are dark and sometimes disturbing, the songs will still win you over. A perfect example is the song "I Killed You" where a man finds his lover with another man and shoots both of them. Terrible, terrible story, but the music / vocals overwhelm the listener.

This CD is much different that Frameshifts previous CD with Dream Theater's James LaBrie on vocals. That CD, good in it's own rights, had a more ethereal sound, while "Empathy" is more "in your face" rock.

'An Absence of Empathy' is amazing. It is rich with variation and different emotions. The only thing that bothers me are the tracks: 6)'Push the Button', 7)'In An Empty Room' and 12)'What Kind of Animal'. 'Push the button' aren't exactly bad, but it doesn't grab me enough like most of the other tracks. 'In An Empty Room' and 'What Kind of Animal' aren't exactly bad either, but a little bit mediocre compare to the other tracks on the album. Exluding the tracks I just mentioned, I think it's definitely worth 5 stars, but in overall 4.5 stars. I have to give Sebastians song performance 5 stars. I think this album is better than the first Frameshift. Worth buying...

I have to admit that I only bought this album because it had Bach on lead vocals, and to tell you the truth I didn't really expect much (especially considering the shmables that was The Last Hard Men). But, I was astounded after a few listen how great this album actually is. There is not one weak song on here, they are all killers, and Bach is in terrific form. Easily the best release of 2005 and possibly the best album I've heard since the release of Slave To The Grind - which also had Bach on vocals. Coincidence?