Altera Enigma - "Alteration" Review

Artist/ Band: Altera Enigma
Title: Alteration
Label: Self release
Year of Release: 2006
Artist/ Band Link (click for details/ ordering)

The Review:

New band, Altera Enigma hails from Australia and adds their name to the growing roster of technical progressive metal bands in recent times. Their sound is very aggressive but done with such a beauty where it’s not all “in your face’. The compositions go throughout various stages from the afore mentioned aggressive to melodic almost ambient feel. Most of the aggressive vibe is on the thrash metal side. Most of the songs are predominantly instrumental, with some vocals, and even some cookie monster style growls.

Some bands that comes to mind comparison wise are Cynic, Gordian Knot, At War With Self and Aziola Cry. The comparisons stop upon hearing the vocal parts because it gives the band a different vibe all together. Also there’s some more mellow points in Altera Enigma’s music than the aforementioned bands. I fell this band has great potential to becoming one of the leaders in the genre. This is very good album that deserves a lot of exposure and well recommended to the fans of the afore mentioned bands.

Reviewed by Ron Fuchs on July 12th, 2006

Tracks:

1. Enigmatic Alteration

2. The Infinite Horizon

3. Pasivitas Sudut Pandang

4. Fading

5. NGC 3370

6. Skyward (Outer Atmosphere)

7. Relating The Transformation

8. Unlimited Reality

9. Through Glass, Darkly