Ian Parry's Official Site
This progressive band from Holland had the
potential to be the next Queensryche , but never quite
made
it to the same level, although their album covers are a ton
better than the ones of Ryche. Their biggest success came with albums
"State Of Mind" (1997) and "Manifestation Of Fear" (1998), although
their fans fully appreciate earlier works. Elegy's current
line-up is: Ian Parry (vocals), Henk van der Laars
(guitars), Marin Helmantel (bass), Chris Allister (keyboards), and Dirk
Bruinenberg (drums). Their last album was "Forbidden Fruit" (2002).
Lead singer Ian Parry participates in various all-star projects,
such as Ian Parry's Consortium Project, Ayreon, and
Andre Andersen's solo works, and also has the extensive solo career,
last release under his own name being "Visions" (2006). has received some good reviews.
MANIFESTATION OF FEAR (1998)
RATING: ***
BEST SONGS: "Unorthodox Ways," "Frenzy,"
"Victim Of Circumstance"
This album can actually be quite good, but
it depends on the mood you're in, so it's definitely not for every
day listens. Took me a few listens (probably more than any other
ablum) to get into. The music and the lyrics are interesting, the
energy is present, the album concept (and this is a rock opera) is
no worse than those of Ryche and 'Tage (it's actually even more
bitter), the arrangements are somewhat original, but the overall
feeling is just not there. In part, it has something to do with
production and the sound (it's not very heavy, and is, overall, very cold: a very strange
job from the Master of Warmth, producer Tommy Newton). But the main problem is that it's just
not catchy! Maybe Van der Laars and Parry (whose voice sometimes
resembles Geoff Tate's, but doesn't hava Tate's range) need to start
hanging out with Mat Sinner and Rolf Kasparek. There are not too
many selfish guitar solos, but the music takes quite a few listens
to get into. The story revolves around a mother, obsessed with her
son, whom she tries to teach to be good and kind, while they both
live in extreme poverty. But, unfortunately for her, the boy grows
up to become an evil man, greedy and power-hungry. He then begins to
suffer from paranoia, becomes schizophrenic, but after a girl falls
in love with him, it helps him transform back into a normal human
being. The whole depressing story is a combination of Savatage's deeply
personal approaches and Queensryche's social call-to-arms. First
song, "Unorthodox Methods," is the catchiest one, with a neat
chorus. "Frenzy" is also pretty cool, and so are "Angel Without
Wings" (starts slowly, but builds up to nice rocking) and "Savage
Grace." Keyboards in "Master Of Deception" bring up the memories of
Savatage. The title track is slow and doomy, but the lead break is
very nice. "Victim Of Circumstance" is a good mid-tempo rocker,
although again not too heavy. Everything else is more in the same
vein. I swear, it's a good album, but could have been a lot
better.
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