When Time Fades

Suspyre | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 30, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sensory Records
• ASIN: B001DM3QAK
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #196,836 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When time fades, Suspyre will be making great music, October 18, 2008

By 

Zubin Madon (California, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: When Time Fades (Audio CD)

"When Time Fades..." builds on Suspyre's first two efforts to create another prog metal masterpiece. The very first track, "Possession", channels Dream Theater while adding a diverse instrumentation. The guitars on "Evolutions" offer a crunch that speaks to the tight production (done by Rossetti and Skibinsky, the band's dual lead guitarists); it manages to be both bright and dark at the right times. "Evolutions" is sure to be the most played piece off of this album, and will draw fans of "traditional" metal into the progressive genre.

The brilliant composition (Rossetti) and production continues, perhaps peaking on "Siren", the most complex and rewarding song on the album. "Siren" is an eclectic mix of chorale, rock ballad, jazz fusion, and metal; yet none of it feels out of place. Barton's vocals are as diverse: appropriate and ear-grabbing, and embrace Trisha O'Keefe's inspired guest vocals. The combination offers quite an eerie duet. Perhaps the most exciting piece is "The Light of The Fire" driven by thoughtful bass lines, melodic percussion, and a sense of the epic.

Through the album, the pieces are thematically related, but each song tells an individual story. While there are no wasted tracks, there is less album cohesion than A Great Divide (Suspyre's second album) had; the 'middle half' of the album lacks direction. This is one of the hardest things to overcome for any band that places such emphasis on songwriting, and Suspyre has overcome it in the past. Given the strong opening and strong finish, we can let it go this time as being overambitious. If an album has to choose its weakness, this is a good one to pick, as it can still be very enjoyable from start to finish. Just remember to take a breath between songs.

This album is somewhat political in nature; especially overt in "Let Freedom Ring (The Heart of it All)". Never before have the words "red, white, and blue" been sung like this. The theme of governmental abuse of power is present in many songs. The lyrics flow well, never forcing a meter, always acting as part of the piece. They will not disappoint those who enjoy the epic nature of metal: a speculative fiction fan's fantasy. As both a lyricist and singer, Clay Barton has developed into what should soon be recognized as one of the great voices of progressive metal.

When it comes down to it, this is the type of album that reminds us why we call ourselves metal fans. It offers the heavy crunch, the bright instrumentation, the technical complexity, and of course the perfection of performance that we demand.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Talent on the Rise, May 8, 2009

By 

James David Neal (Bentonville, Arkansas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: When Time Fades (Audio CD)

When I purchased this CD I'd never hear of Suspyre & they only came to my attention when Amazon did one of those "if you purchased this...you might like this" notes. I listened to a few clips online, was impressed & purchased their CD.

Wow: excellent production, great lyrics, & the musicianship is stunning. These guys are destined to rise as one of the top prog bands on the scene. The music is incredibly complex, with rhythms winding in & out of each other. The addition of brass, symphonic & diverse percussion experimentation (even xylophone) increases the breadth & complexity of the performances. This IS NOT passive listening music; it grabs you, draws you in & requires that you engage it fully. If the CD overwhelms you on 1st listen, do not put it aside. It actually gets better upon repeated listens, as your mind begins to sift through the varying component parts that come together to create the whole.

I'm a definite fan now & will continue to push musical boundaries with Suspyre.

If you like the following bands, you should try these guys:
Pathosray, Symphony X, Serenity, Pyramaze, Kamelot, Anubis Gate, Dream Theater, Circus Maximus, Pineapple Thief.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Missing Masterpiece, December 28, 2008

By 

Brian Rooney (Littleton, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: When Time Fades (Audio CD)

This is one of the best prog-metal albums of the year. I had no idea who these guys were until I happened to notice the "S" for "Sensory" on the spine. I picked it up and read, "For fans of Dream Theater and Symphony X." Not believing it, I put it in the player at the music shop where I work. Then I bought it, because the first thirty seconds had some serious potential. So when I got it home I popped it in my stereo. That was three days ago. It has hardly left the player since.

The music is amazing, the arrangements constantly evolving yet never seeming forced. The instrumentation is flawless, and much more varied than the average tech- or prog-metal disc. Particularly notable are the horns, which miraculously do not break the flow of the music an ounce. They add a lush, occasional texture that to me somehow perfectly evokes the vital, lush, feathery and yet fiery blood-red of the album's cover art. Wow. Never heard that done before. I love it when I get to say that.

So, put simply, if you like Symphony X and Dream Theater, buy this disc. It is more SX than DT, but it is definitely both. I'm going to be ordering their back catalog soon. This is a missing masterpiece for the year 2008. I hope more people will find it. Personally, I'll trust that "S" a little quicker next time. You'd think I would've learned that after Redemption's "Fullness of Time."