Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Ayreon, Star One) and Edu Falaschi (Almah, ex-Angra) are two of the talented guests that appear on Non-Euclidean Spaces, the smashing new album by French progressive/power metal group Anthropia.
I reviewed Anthropia's excellent second album The Chain Reaction a while back and was most impressed, so this new album was met with positive anticipation. Of course there are many fine French metal bands like Heavenly, Adagio, Venturia and Fairyland, and with albums this good Anthropia deserve to be mentioned in their company. Besides being a band of skilful musicians Anthropia also features such inviting female and male vocals, the kind that complement each other and unite so well on a track like "Seeds Of Decay".
Non-Euclidean Spaces is a concept album with a generous amount of content, and the inspiration for this release including the artwork comes from the novels and short stories of H.P. Lovecraft and the Cthulhu Mythos. Arjen Anthony Lucassen is the narrator on Non-Euclidean Spaces and Arjen's Aryeon project actually comes to mind when listening to track three "Silver Twilight Lodge". Though Ayreon is listed as one of the band's influences along with Megadeth, Symphony X, Dream Theater, Angra, Opeth and Pain Of Salvation. Anthropia is also inspired by classical works, and "Fuoco" is an alluring cover of the song originally written by French classical composer/guitarist Roland Dyens.
That hefty riff on "The Melancholy Of R.C." is so addictive in a Pagan's Mind kind of way, and it's very effective on this entrancing metal track where Anthropia also incorporate keyboards with positive results. "Silver Twilight Lodge" is another notable inclusion, the vocalist's deliver big time and the music goes through many riveting changes. Non-Euclidean Spaces is quite an unpredictable album with tracks like "The Part Of Them In Me" the band keeps you guessing as to which direction they are going next. "The Snake Den" is where we find Edu Falaschi who sounds right at home on this lively and vibrant metal track. If I was being picky then I would say that Anthropia's instrumental "Unknown Kadath" is too short, but given how much there is elsewhere it's probably not warranted.
There is so much to like about Anthropia's Non-Euclidean Spaces, this is one new album that won't disappoint the fans.
Track Listing
1. Strange Aeons
2. The Melancholy Of R.C.
3. Silver Twilight Lodge
4. The Part Of Them In Me
5. Unknown Kadath
6. Seeds Of Decay
7. When The Stars Come Right
8. Crawling Chaos
9. The Snake Den
10. Lost In Time And Space
11. Fuoco
12. Credits
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