Customer Reviews

Section X

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After nearly four long years, Beyond Twilight has emerged with a new album. Their previous disc The Devil's Hall of Fame with Jorn Lande on vocals was a stunning record, so it caused quite some stress when it was announced that Lande had left and was replaced by a new singer: American vocalist Kelly Sundown Carpenter from the band Outworld. If you were a fan of Lande's vocals in Beyond Twilight, worry not, Carpenter is an absolutely perfect fit for the position. The tone of his voice and his phrasing are highly similar to Lande's, which is great. There are moments on the album, unless you look in the CD booklet, you wouldn't know it's not Jorn Lande singing. Carpenter does an excellent job; he sings passionately and will easily convince everyone that he is the perfect choice.

Finn Zierler, the man behind Beyond Twilight, is still responsible for most of the songwriting on this disc, which is darker than ever, more progressive and more cinematic. Seemingly written locked in a dark attic, the dirty streets of London and near a cold lake, Section X is the continuation of Beyond Twilight's debut concept, and it kicks off with a very similar theme. There is also an informative and quite interesting storyline printed in the booklet. Even though I can't say I'm too impressed by the concept, neither was I by the one in the previous album. It's more Zierler's unique understanding of composition and creating thick, layered soundscapes that draw me to the sound and style of Beyond Twilight. Once again the production on this album is huge, thanks to Zierler's cooperation with Tommy Hansen during the mixing stages. This album is more of progressive tinged disc with sweeping arrangements and numerous emotional twists. Jacob Hansen's addition to the fold also serves this purpose, and his presence is easily noticeable. Give a close listen to the way the guitars slowly soar above Zierler's piano on "Sleeping Beauty" and how they fade into infinity as if the wind carries them away. This song also features guest vocalist Truls Haugen whose clean singing exchanges spots with Carpenter's more aggressive style. The big chorus filled with Latin lyrics is a reference to the first Beyond Twilight album, except that the female choir singing it is a lot more effective this time around.

New vocalist Kelly Sundown Carpenter takes on many different roles through the album. From the most haunting melody lines pulled out of the depths of hell that permeat "The Path of Darkness", the gruff and enraged singing on "Shadow Self", the cold spoken passages on "The Dark Side", or even the more multi-octave hitting screams on the 9-minute closing title track, Carpenter makes this album as amazing as the highly acclaimed debut, and certainly proves to be a fantastic addition to prog metal singers. Once the debut Outworld disc sees the light of day, it will be a headturner, mark my words.

There is a mindblowing instrumental track titled "Portrait F in Dark Waters", a classical intermezzo that starts out lush and laid-back, but quickly picks up and ventures into a dark musical territory displaying Zierler's ethereal piano and keyboard work merged with a great sense of orchestration - you must hear it, as I consider the composition presented here much better crafted than the instrumental pieces on the debut album. Zierler's tone is distinctive in all the songs, as he implements various progressive elements in the songs backed up by powerful twin guitars and a solid rhythm section. Best exemplified on the title track, each instrument weaves its way through the music delicately, laying down subtle odd time signatures without letting go of the dark atmosphere this album is intended to possess. Note the way the keyboards subtly morph into an Egyptian-themed arpeggiated guitar melody during the breakdown that ultimately leads to the dramatic finale. It might strike you speechless.

Beyond Twilight is back! Let's hope we won't have to wait another four years for their third album. But then if that's what it takes to create epic and soulful music like this, that's cool with me. Both Beyond Twilight albums are essential for dark prog metal fans.

Well let me start off by saying that I came across Beyond Twilight coincidently in the last couple of weeks in one of the cd sites which I think is www.cdinzane.com I had no idea they were so brilliant. Their first album was sung by Jorn Lande when I read the info and I knew right away I had to get it.. I bid in ebay for $10.00 I think and immediately was hook onto it.... Then Section X came out and I was sad to see that Jorn Lande no longer is in the band but on the other hand I was in for a surprise....Their new vocalist is as brilliant as Jorn Lande but with his own signature.. I love his voice and now gotten used to Section X. The songs are well written and has so much aggression than their 1st album. The tempo on this album has been sped up and you could hear BT doing their own prog metal thing with technical brilliance I might say!!! Vocalist singing his lungs out and proving he is as good as Pagan's Mind Voice, Symphony X or Dream Theater voice. Their sound and songs are so refreshing and distinctive. You can never compare BT with any other Prog Metal Band. They are their own!! This is one of my favourite cd this year 2005. I highly recommend to Prog Metal Fans around the world.

This album is heavy and dark and feels like the soundtrack to a horror film. These guys are a great band who create epic songs that feel like they take you on a journey of darkness and intrigue! Great vocals on this too. He sings with passion and power without the high opera falsetto! This music reminds me of Dream Theatre's dark songs on Awake and Scenes crossed with the theatrical pomp of Queen and Jordan Rudess's solo albums. Check this out if you love epic progressive metal soundtracks.

This album is awesome. To the vocalist - my band in New York could definitely use your pipes right about now ;). The vocalist is fantastic. Incredible range, no falsetto (I'm lookin' at you, Tarja!)...and the guitars slay. Prog enough for big prog fans, accessible enough to avoid turning off non-musicians. And the arrangements are awesome. Section X, Shadow Self, Ecstasy Arise, and Sleeping Beauty are the best from the album. Really strong writing! buy it now!

I bought this disc not having heard any of the music, but taking a chance based on one of the reviews, and my spirit of discovering intelligent, creative, innovative songwriters and musicianship. I found all of the above with Beyond Twilight.

They have the hard edge, yet the diversity and complexity one has to admire in a GREAT progressive band. The disc begins with good songs and continues to build to greatness. It's just too bad that there is not a wider recognition of such talent.

I highly recommend this disc to any lover of GREAT music, especially progressive-metal.

After nearly four long years, Beyond Twilight has emerged with a new album. Their previous disc The Devil's Hall of Fame with Jorn Lande on vocals was a stunning record, so it caused quite some stress when it was announced that Lande had left and was replaced by a new singer: American vocalist Kelly Sundown Carpenter from the band Outworld. If you were a fan of Lande's vocals in Beyond Twilight, worry not, Carpenter is an absolutely perfect fit for the position. The tone of his voice and his phrasing are highly similar to Lande's, which is great. There are moments on the album, unless you look in the CD booklet, you wouldn't know it's not Jorn Lande singing. Carpenter does an excellent job; he sings passionately and will easily convince everyone that he is the perfect choice.

Finn Zierler, the man behind Beyond Twilight, is still responsible for most of the songwriting on this disc, which is darker than ever, more progressive and more cinematic. Seemingly written locked in a dark attic, the dirty streets of London and near a cold lake, Section X is the continuation of Beyond Twilight's debut concept, and it kicks off with a very similar theme. There is also an informative and quite interesting storyline printed in the booklet. Even though I can't say I'm too impressed by the concept, neither was I by the one in the previous album. It's more Zierler's unique understanding of composition and creating thick, layered soundscapes that draw me to the sound and style of Beyond Twilight. Once again the production on this album is huge, thanks to Zierler's cooperation with Tommy Hansen during the mixing stages. This album is more of progressive tinged disc with sweeping arrangements and numerous emotional twists. Jacob Hansen's addition to the fold also serves this purpose, and his presence is easily noticeable. Give a close listen to the way the guitars slowly soar above Zierler's piano on "Sleeping Beauty" and how they fade into infinity as if the wind carries them away. This song also features guest vocalist Truls Haugen whose clean singing exchanges spots with Carpenter's more aggressive style. The big chorus filled with Latin lyrics is a reference to the first Beyond Twilight album, except that the female choir singing it is a lot more effective this time around.

New vocalist Kelly Sundown Carpenter takes on many different roles through the album. From the most haunting melody lines pulled out of the depths of hell that permeat "The Path of Darkness", the gruff and enraged singing on "Shadow Self", the cold spoken passages on "The Dark Side", or even the more multi-octave hitting screams on the 9-minute closing title track, Carpenter makes this album as amazing as the highly acclaimed debut, and certainly proves to be a fantastic addition to prog metal singers. Once the debut Outworld disc sees the light of day, it will be a headturner, mark my words.

There is a mindblowing instrumental track titled "Portrait F in Dark Waters", a classical intermezzo that starts out lush and laid-back, but quickly picks up and ventures into a dark musical territory displaying Zierler's ethereal piano and keyboard work merged with a great sense of orchestration - you must hear it, as I consider the composition presented here much better crafted than the instrumental pieces on the debut album. Zierler's tone is distinctive in all the songs, as he implements various progressive elements in the songs backed up by powerful twin guitars and a solid rhythm section. Best exemplified on the title track, each instrument weaves its way through the music delicately, laying down subtle odd time signatures without letting go of the dark atmosphere this album is intended to possess. Note the way the keyboards subtly morph into an Egyptian-themed arpeggiated guitar melody during the breakdown that ultimately leads to the dramatic finale. It might strike you speechless.

Beyond Twilight is back! Let's hope we won't have to wait another four years for their third album. But then if that's what it takes to create epic and soulful music like this, that's cool with me. Both Beyond Twilight albums are essential for dark prog metal fans.
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Tracklisting: Be Careful It's My Head Too . The Path of Darkness . Shadow Self . Sleeping Beauty . The Dark Side . Portrait F in Dark Waters . Ecstasy Arise . Section X

This is one of the best pieces of prog I have heard in a very long time. This band has such a refreshing sound even those old school elitist's would dig this band. If you like this band, check out Kelly Carpente's other band called Outworld. In my opinion they are even better than Beyond Twilight. Prog On!!

Kelly Sundown Carpenter rips on this cd. His vocals really make this album, and every song is just so well done.

Highlights are really the majority of the album. The Path Of Darkness, Sleeping Beauty, The Dark Side, Exctasy Arise, and Section X are just brilliant tracks. The production is really good, and this is one of the best progressive bands out there. It's too bad they're not well known.

WHOA what an album. Dark Prog-Metal. The dark feel with draw you into the album and you WILL want to know the lyrics. I feel this is Kelly's best vocal performance to date. Heavy to the max with some of the most excellent singing around to lead the way. I loved the whole ride. Music is creepy and WELL thought out. Keys bring this to life. Great musicians on this record. I want to say to everyone. GET THIS ALBUM. Who cares if it was a few years ago. GET IT.

The other review has alot of detail, so all I'm going to say is this cd awesome, Great Production, Dark and brooding, I also loved the first cd with Jorn Lande, Kelly does an amazing job here as well. if you like music like Evergey, Symphony X, Dream Theater then you should have this in your collection!