2 - Aeon Zen - Warning
Let's talk a little bit about an under-the-radar English prog-metal group called Aeon Zen. For all intents and purposes, the band is the brain child of one Rich Hinks, who plays the majority of the guitars, bass and keys throughout the album. Hinks' vocal range is showcased throughout the album, which high-pitched power metal screams in songs like "Warning" and "Survival", while tracks like "Seven Hills" and "Turned to Ash" feature beautiful singing, and even death-growls in "Divinity" and "Eternal Snow". The album, "Enigma", is easily one of the most underrated pieces of 2013 and well worth a spot in my top 5 albums of the year.
I believe I was listening to it while playing Madden 2013 when track #5 came on. The song is about as prog-metal as you can get. A soft, slow building bass-key opening, with a soft acoustic opening at the 30 second mark. This goes on for a full minute until the amplifiers kick in and the song is taken to its second level. But then at 2:12 the song going full metal with the atmospheric background dropping out and a crushing guitar riff taking over. It's almost 2:45 before the vocals even come in, but by then I was so overwhelmed that I started the song over just to listen to the overwhelming instrumental beginning. I probably listened to those 2+ minutes more times than any other song in my arsenal for 2013. I may not be a big fan of slow building songs, but this one absolutely takes the cake.
Heck, we haven't even gotten to the lyrical message yet! Essentially the song is a literal warning not to be complacent with what you have because love can take it all away. "A man with everything he ever wanted, he has nothing, now he's nothing when you're gone. He thinks he's happy and content with his life, I cannot really understand what he has done". It truly is a wonderfully crafted piece of music which is absolutely fitting at the #2 spot, although it's a bit lengthy at 6:55. It actually ends with a sailing solo and kicks right into the next song. The entire album is interwoven together with repeating parts and is a fantastic effort from Hinks. I wouldn't quite put it past the Born of Osiris effort, but it's a wonderful piece just the same. It also bears mentioning that this is the 4th time in 5 years that a metal song has fallen just short of the #1 spot. Who will be #1? Will another metal song take the crown, or will alt-rock continue their reign of dominance? Tune in, 8pm EST for the answer!
Title: Warning
Artist: Aeon Zen
Album: Enigma
Previous #2s
2012: Meshuggah - Do Not Look Down
2011: Owl City - Galaxies
2010: Periphery - Icarus Lives!
2009: August Burns Red - Rationalist
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