Creation's Tears: Methods to End it All
Parody Paradigm
Another gothic metal band, yet a totally different sound. Though gothic metal bands that seem to do really well usually have a female singer, Creation's Tears has put forth a very good album even though they don't specifically fit the mold. With Methods to End it All, Creation's Tears has out together both a prog and gothic metal based album that, if in the mood can please anyone willing to listen.
The musicianship on this album is one thing, which no matter what mood I'm in, is enjoyable throughout. Right from the start with "Another Collision" they set the tone with a fast paced song with great guitar work and thick bass lines. Brian Eddie Reynolds does a spectacular job with the guitars all throughout the album, especially in his solo to begin "I Fail". After his great solo, the song takes up a more prog feel, driven mostly by the bass and drums. This song has a very Dream Theater like feel which puts this song out in front of most of the other, at least for me, and makes it one of the most enjoyable on the album. Not only does "I Fail" offer up a great solo opening but throughout the track there are also some small samplings of great solos interspersed. Another great song is "Odyssey (Opus IX)" because it features a more acoustic centered sound in the beginning rather than the heavier sound on most of the other songs. One thing that I like about Methods to End it All is that through the 30 some minutes it's on it never gets boring. Granted, it is only around 30 minutes, but it still shows that Creation's Tears has a lot of talent and originality, and their debut really shows that.
One thing that also adds to the album is the vocalists. Brian Eddie Reynolds, who I mentioned earlier for his guitar work, also doubles as the bands vocalist. His style blends very well with the rest of the band and it sounds very good. Creation's Tears also enlisted some help from ex-Cradle of Filth Singer Sarah Jezebel Deva who guest performs on the track "Creation's Tears". I like this because it changes up the feel of the album from a more progressive gothic metal approach to straight up gothic metal for this song.
The production is also quite good, too. It's very professional sounding and has a little edge to it that is really nice.
Methods to End it All is a superb debut from Creation's Tears, and it definitely warrants a listen from any metal fan out there. With help from the all ready mentioned Sarah Jezebel Deva and session drummer Lee Morris of Paradise Lost, Creation's Tears really helped their chances of becoming a great metal band. For this great release they get 4 stars.
1. Another Collision (3:51)
2. I Fail (4:15)
3. Creation's Tears (feat. Sarah Jezebel Deva) (3:03)
4. Odyssey (Opus IX) (5:06)
5. I'm Falling (You'll Never Know) (2:54)
6. Parody Paradigm (4:46)
7. The Last Tear is Cried for Romance (4:27)
8. No Saviour Here (3:26)
9. Untimely Reminder (4:27)
Added: April 28th 2011
» SoT Staff Roundtable Reviews:
Posted by Scott Ward, SoT Staff Writer on 2011-04-28 16:23:03
My Score:
I really wanted to avoid using the term gothic in this review but there I am putting it in the first sentence. While Creation's Tears might sing about the dark side of life, this disc is not the depressing, brooding type of work normally associated with that genre. Far from it. These guys give you a melodic metal treat that will appeal to wide array of people who have two things in common; an appreciation of great heavy metal and the ability to take in the deeper aspects of this band's lyrical content. Some bands do fit into a certain category but this is not one of them.
Starting out with the fast paced yet very mainstream "Another Collision" it should be obvious to the listener that this album is not going to be the downer you might expect. If anything this song should inspire instead of discourage. When Brian Eddie Reynolds sings "Don't look back now, keep your focus", he isn't dwelling in misery. Not only that, the band brings a mainstream metal approach to this song that should make it a radio staple.
The only time they ever reach the type of melancholy associated with goth is during the song "The Last Tear Is Cried For Romance". The haunting guitar work of Reynolds is riveting while his gravely voice brings out just the right amount of sorrow. A case could also be made for the tune "No Savior Here" or the acoustic "Odyssey (Opus IX)" but this only stems from the fact that they are both slower types of song that are going to be darker naturally. Even when Sarah Jezebel Deva lends her voice to the signature song "Creation's Tears" it is more of a beauty and the beast effect rather than giving it a somber feel.
The band is at their best when they go for the epic. The big sounding "I Fail" and "Parody Paradigm" both fall somewhere in the realm of Symphony X or bands of similar style. When they go for this big type of sound they really hit the nail on the head. This is some good stuff and I hope they continue along this vein.
This one has been a real treat. It is easily one of the picks for the annual best of list and has and will receive many spins in my household. This is one that you have to set aside what you read about it and find out for yourself. You will be glad you did!