Ophelion is a newly formed progressive metal band. Their debut album was released around a month or so ago and is titled The Jaunt.
I received an email from the band a few days ago asking if I’d like to give it a listen and review. On them telling me that The Jaunt is a concept album, that sealed the deal. Do like myself a good concept album….
They sent me the digital files and despite me for years not going there, despite being an old dog, I taught myself a new trick to listen after realising my car media thingy can play stuff on a USB stick via one of the USB ports in the car. Who knew…..not an old Luddite like me.
So, new trick learned and actioned. After spending the past few days listening to the album whilst driving around a bit…..here’s my review.
The concept is inspired by a Stephen King story called The Jaunt. It is is set in a future where teleportation is instantaneous, but only safe under sedation.
However, the subject of the story teleports though decides to remains conscious during their Jaunt only to find themselves cast into a formless void beyond time, space, and sensation.
Their problems don’t end there and some unfortunate, unintended consequences ensue. I won’t spoil the ending. You’ll have to listen to the album for that.
Musically it’s quite hard hitting prog-metal. The album flows together well and at around three quarters of an hour does not overstay its welcome.
Bar the two minute interlude of Emergence, the other four tracks clock in at around ten minutes bar the closer which is fourteen minutes.
Generally full of short, crunchy riffs, some frantic yet engaging guitar runs in amongst the riffs and the tribal style rhythmic drumming and throbbing bass. They keyboard swells add some atmosphere nicely without overpowering. All well composed.
The vocals are good too – which leads me to a slight gripe…….there is the some use of those “death metal” style growls. That style of vocal doesn’t sit well with me. Just a personal thing. I’ve never been attracted to or got in to the whole death metal thing.
That said, given that as Ophelion use the growls sparingly here on The Jaunt, I can live with it.
The album has grown on me the more I’ve listened to it and I do quite like it now after a shaky start. It’s the type of album which whilst in my opinion is not instantly accessible, does open up after a few listens.
Competent progressive metal with some bite to it with the concept/story told well lyrically. A promising debut album from the band.
The whole album is on Ophelion’s YouTube channel if you want a look first (link below).
BandCamp page for digital version is:
https://ophelionmusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-jaunt
It’ll likely be on streaming thingies such as Spotify etc., however I remain a non-user of such things……Here’s the YouTube video:
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