The Metal Crypt on Facebook  The Metal Crypt's YouTube Channel
Review: Archetype - Dawning
Archetype
www.archetype1.com
Dawning

Label: Independent
Year released: 2001
Duration: 66:37
Tracks: 10
Genre: Progressive Metal

Rating:
3.5/5


Review online: March 21, 2002
Reviewed by: Michel Renaud
Readers' Rating
How do you rate this release?

Rated 3.5/5 (70%) (6 Votes)
Review

Archetype hail from Ohio and play a mix of heavy and power metal with some progressive elements, with power/progressive metal dominating the overall sound - especially on the vocals. The vocalist is a little bit varied in his delivery, sometimes sounding like the "typical" power metal singer, while sometimes I was a bit reminded of Matt Barlow of Iced Earth. Overall he does a very good job, sometimes the vocal delivery is very "poignant", however in a few instances it is also a bit too much on the monotone side. Thankfully, Archetype opted to stay away from a flood of cheesy choirs that are almost a plague with some power metal bands.

The music is mostly mid to fast-paced, without going into the constant hyperspeed double bass drums that some bands use. There are a couple of ballads that have more of a rock/hard rock feel to them than a metal one. Overall a good release, but nothing that will revolutionize the genre either. I think the band will need to vary things a bit more to make their mark into an already overcrowded genre. The inclusion of some heavy metal-type riffs here and there on the album are definitely welcome and give this album an added edge, because, no matter what, the power metal riffs at some point all become "déjà heard". There's also a little "classic", somewhat raw feel to the sound on some songs that I found very welcome. I rarely mention the length of an album, but in this particular case, 66 minutes is a little too much for so little variety. 40-45 minutes would have been more adequate. I found the album to get a little boring after that time. Worth noting are the omnipresent progressive touches, especially in the last couple of songs. Not my stuff but it provides a bit more variety - coincidentally, this starts around the time where I wish the album would end, a little past the 45 min. mark. Fans of heavy, power and progressive metal may want to give this one a try, as there is a little bit of everything here.

Click below for more reviews
Latest 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Various Books/Zines 



The Metal Crypt - Crushing Posers Since 1999
Copyright  © 1999-2025, Michel Renaud / The Metal Crypt.  All Rights Reserved.