The EP Self Portrait is Aeon Zen taking three songs off their debut A Mind's Portrait and giving them a serious work over so to speak, plus adding one new track and really after three winning albums in a row how could you not want to experience Self Portrait.
Aeon Zen haven't just stopped with the songs their titles have also been altered as "A Mind's Portrait" is shortened to "Portrait", "Blinded Rain" has become "Rain" and "The Demise Of The Fifth Sun" is now called "Demise". I'm not the biggest fan of greatest hits albums though when a group takes the time to do something different with their songs that's a another story, and yes this isn't a "best of" release but like those albums where they don't stick to the norm the opportunity hear the changes by Aeon Zen really sparked my interest.
Self Portrait was such a cool idea, and Aeon Zen's songs are appealing in both incarnations. "Psych!" doesn't hang around for long it's atmospheric keyboard feel sounds great and the bass and kick drums duplicating each is complemented by the guitar. "A Mind's Portrait" sorry I should now say "Portrait" is next and has received a significant injection of heaviness and darkened vocals though it retains some tranquilty, "Rain" is still a mixture of lighter passages and more powerful times and has been given a different feel to the original. The progressive metal of "Demise" is so inviting Aeon Zen have shortened this track and it does have of an increased punch musically especially as the drums sound more prominent, and other changes include the vocals as their debut's version were more potent overall.
In the end Self Portrait isn't going to disappoint the original versions were impressive and the new ones are also very good so really you can't go wrong.
Track Listing
1. Psych!
2. Portrait
3. Rain
4. Demise
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
