Customer Reviews

Zodiac

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Zodiac is a concept album that has one song for each of the twelve signs of the zodiac. Every song has its moments, but my favorites include the powerful and aggressive "Aries", the sprawling epic "Libra" (it's only four minutes long but it feels epic) and the engaging, melodic "Leo". These are just some of the highlights as every song on Zodiac is good, even the campy "Cancer". Yes, camp is an element present on Zodiac but the songwriting is so strong--balancing pop metal vocal melodies with aggressive Iron Maiden-type riffs--the campy lyrics can easily be overlooked. In the end, the combination of catchy melodies and heavy metal crunch makes Zodiac one of my all-time favorite albums.

Vocalist/songwriter Keith Sudano is one of the best prog metal vocalists ever, in my opinion. It is difficult to compare Mr. Sudano to other vocalists and Zodiac isn't quite his best work vocally (all the vocals were recorded in one day), but Sudano's voice falls somewhere along the lines of an aggressive James LaBrie (Dream Theater) or a rougher Geoff Tate (Queensryche). As for bassist Zeek, he is clearly from the Steve Harris (Iron Maiden) school of bass guitarists and lead guitarist Kevin Riepl sounds like a mix of Eddie Van Halen and Maiden's classic guitar duo of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith.

If you want an album that combines fun, melody and aggression, pick up Zodiac. Iron Maiden and 80s pop metal fans may get a kick out of this one. If you're afraid of the pop metal comparisons I keep making, don't worry. Zodiac is heavy metal--even heavier than Iron Maiden--so you need not worry. It just so happens Zodiac is extremely catchy in the vocal melody department. And that makes Zodiac one of my all-time favorites.

What Eternity X (EX) was to become can be clearly heard on Zodiac. It is clear that EX is an extension of founder Keith Sudano. Zodiac is, as Sudano says in the booklet notes, a precursor to what EX was to become, first in the shorter songs on 'Mind Games', and finally realized in the quintessential concept album 'The Edge'. Musically, one can clear hear the EX sound, but again, as Sudano says in the Zodiac notes, the EX sound is not fully developed, or as Sudano says "less progressive". I would not go that far. It is progressive, but the tempo is more consistently rock or metal, still heard on some songs on the later CD's. The vocals are also distinctively those of Sudano, but he does not use what he later describes on 'The Edge' as "multiple personalities".

I would highly recommend Zodiac to all EX aficionados and to everyone who enjoys this genre. As with all bands, it should be taken as part of the progression, or evolution of the band, and the contemplation of Sudano. Zodiac is a well written & produced CD. As Sudano notes on Zodiac, EX is also a progression of band-mates, the bassist Zeek being the only other appearing on all CD's. My copy of Zodiac has a bonus track called "Fast Forward"; it is essentially an intriguing instrumental bass solo. It is quite interesting the next CD, "Mind Games" has a somewhat shorter bass solo called "The Chase" which uses exactly the same riff and timbre. Which actually came first?

It is regretful that Eternity X did not record any further music. "The Edge" is considered by many to be a gem, a masterpiece of the genre. Zodiac is part of the path to that gem. IMO, Keith Sudano with his "multiple personality" vocals deserves to be in the class as Peter Gabriel and Fish.

Although EX is an American band, the CD's are only available as imports. The price & availability price vary significantly at Amazon. You may have to wait for individual CD's and a price you can afford. Although I had no trouble obtaining "Mind Games" & "The Edge" at a reasonable price, Amazon's listings for "Zodiac" were confusing, and I had wait several months before it finally arrived, and at a reasonable price.

Zodiac is best described as "progressive pop (heavy) metal". I can't compare this album with any others because this is a highly unusual and unique release. Maybe if you like Queensryche and Iron Maiden, but aren't afraid of pop metal elements, this album is for you. In fact, it is heavier than Iron Maiden, but with catchier vocal melodies.

Zodiac is a concept album that includes a song for each sign of the zodiac. "Aries" is a killer song--very heavy and aggressive, "Libra" has a powerful epic feel to it (even though it is only a four minute song) and "Leo" is fun yet thrashy and heavy. These are just some of the highlights.

Vocalist/songwriter Keith Sudano is one of the best prog metal vocalists ever. He can go from Geoff Tate smooth to James LaBrie harsh. Bassist Zeek is clearly from the Steve Harris (Iron Maiden) school of bass guitarists. And guitarist Kevin Riepl sounds like a mix of Eddie Van Halen and Maiden's classic guitar duo Dave Murray and Adrian Smith. That's a great combination.

Like I said, Iron Maiden and pop metal fans will love this cd.