A Psychogeist album kritikái:

Age Of Nemesis: Psychogeist
By Jimmy Caterine
January 07, 2006

Here’s something you don’t get to see very often. Age Of Nemesis is progressive metal band from Hungary. I wasn’t sure what to expect since a lot of bands from that part of the world who choose to do English speaking albums tend to be hard to understand through a thick accent. This was obviously a concern of the band but Age Of Nemesis cuts right through this dilemma. Zoltan Kiss sings as though English is his first language. This, of course, allowed me to kick back and enjoy this CD, as progressive metal is my favorite genre of music.
I wasn’t disappointed at all. In fact I was quite surprised, because most progressive metal bands fall short of the mark. Age Of Nemesis has hit the mark and beyond. This is a very meticulously sharp band. From beginning to end AON sounds like perfect students of bands like Dream Theater and Symphony X. Given the chance, I am sure these guys could rank among the best of them, since the student almost always surpasses the teacher. The rhythm section is extremely tight and punchy and both Gyorgy Nagy (keys) and Zoltan Fabian (guitar) are exceptional. What a guitar tone!!

The first six compositions on Psychogeist tell a tale of a boy and what appears to be his doppelganger. I won’t spoil the fun for those that don’t like to know what happens before listening to it on their own. I will admit that I will have to give it a few more listens, as I was far too impressed with the musicianship to get the entire story line during my first few hearings. My only disappointment here is the lack of printed lyrics in the packaging. Nonetheless, this CD will get listened to quite a bit. Also, if you pop the disc into your pc, you’ll find a very well done video of the opening track, Fate’s Door.

This is a great progressive metal band that we will be hearing a lot more from in the future. Psychogeist was originally released in Hungarian in 2002 and from my understanding they will be releasing another one of their previously recorded albums in English as well as an instrumental CD on the Magna Carte label. I highly recommend Age Of Nemesis – Psychogeist to any huge fan of progressive metal. It’s well worth the purchase price.

Die Meinung des Rock Hard:

Review von Robert Pöpperl-Berenda:
(60:22) Auf der ersten Hälfte von „Psychogeist“ bieten die ungarischen Progster eine halbstündige Konzept-Suite, die in ihren besseren Momenten an eine Mischung aus Queensryche und Uriah Heep herankommt, sich aber zusehends in unnötigen Frickel-Spielereien verliert. Sänger Zoltan Kiss sticht mit seinem klaren Geoff-Tate-Tenor aus der Band heraus, und auch Gitarrist Zoltan Fabian kann einige Glanzpunkte setzen. Trotzdem zündet die Scheibe nicht wirklich, weil viel zu viel hineingepackt wurde. Wie man Songideen packend und grandios ausschlachtet und bearbeitet, kann man doch schon seit Jahren auf „Operation: Mindcrime“ nachhören! Trotzdem ist „Psychogeist“ eine Talentprobe und ein Versprechen auf kommende Scheiben.
Note 7

There are only a handful of bands lately that bring the progressive metal genre back to its roots (kind of an odd term to use for this type of music). These are the roots that encompass the feeling of albums such as Images And Words And Parallels; expounding upon the idea of technical melodies and a hard driving guitar crunch. But when you think about it, that terminology almost sounds simple, for music like this is anything but. When you consider the music that Dream Theater, Fates Warning and Queensryche began, many of their contemporaries have pushed the musical envelope into areas of experimentation that go beyond what many of us music prog-metalers can enjoy. After all, music is art and expression, but sometimes you yearn for something a little more down to earth, or in this case, sort of classic sounding.
Enter Age of Nemesis, a band that puts its musical emphasis on melodies to provide catchiness and hooks that don't get lost in any overzealous production factor. The music from this Hungarian quintet is much welcome ear candy for the aural senses. Psychogeist features a dark atmosphere, particularly with the moody "Grey Room" and the balladry of "Breaking Away," where the latter gives the piano its moment to haunt your ears. Of course, tracks such as "Fates Door," "Goddess Nemesis" and the title track place the record's heavy vibe at the forefront. However, with "Abraxas," Psychogeist's standout track, all the right attitude and emotion is in place, colliding in the same way songs like "Heaven And Hell" and "Another Day" did. Could we be hearing a new classic? Maybe so!
With the keyboard textures and guitar riffs firmly in place, Psychogeist avoids the harsh Tourette Syndrome of strange time signature and key changes, luckily lacking any jittery factors, proving that these guys have a knack for writing strong songs. Psychogeist, like Vox Tempus' In The Eye Of Time, is one of the most impressive debut albums in the progressive metal world, much welcome with its back-to-basics approach, but then again the "basics" are beyond anything "basic."

REVIEW BY TOMMY HASH, COPYRIGHT 2005

Hungarian heavy metal prog band Age Of Nemesis has released a new album in English, their fifth after 4 in native language and this is titled Psychogeist.

While listening to it, I was rather...ahem.....bored. Not that these guys didn’t deliver, it’s just that (Hungarian or not) I’ve heard it all before and it is for me, like treading into a new forest, but still knowing where all the trees are. Sorry guys, I gather you worked hard on this album and its fine.

But with my knowledge to prog music (and heavy metal prog) there really are no new grounds explored here! I think you are great musicians and the truth just might lie
around your corner. It’s a matter of time and dedication. And I’ll have to say that the English vocals are fine, no accent.

My favourite track is # 4 “Mommys crying” with its soothing intro leading into some powerful theme. There are some great time signature breaks and some fine vocal trimmings. Still, don’t let me scare you from doing what you do best. Keep up the good work and work on new and different approaches...then you’ll get there...eventually!

So I’ll leave you with these lines and a : Go for it...to Age Of Nemesis! Looking forward to hearing your next album.

Kind regards,
Tonny Larz

A band sporting not one, but two Zoltans (and a Gyorgy and a Laszlo to boot) might make you think you're gonna be in for an eastern European knockoff of progressive metal better suited for the expensive studio budgets of the First World. And to be sure, there are places where AGE OF NEMESIS comes across as a little, well, threadbare. The production is clean and crisp, but a bit thin, and vocalist Zoltan Kiss hits the occasional bunk note that might have been Pro-Tooled into submission, had "Psychogeist" been recorded in the States.

But within a minute or two, prog-heads will stop noticing these minor distractions, as the impressive songwriting and playing on "Psychogeist" unfold. An ambitious quasi-concept album, "Psychogeist" hits like early DREAM THEATER without their tendency at the time for soggy AOR balladry – the guitarwork is particularly Petrucci-an. There's an epic scope to the songwriting here that recalls the most expansive stretches of the latter-day FATES WARNING catalog, as well as the occasional nod to early 80's RUSH. AGE OF NEMESIS are quite adept at mixing technical prog touches into the songs without turning them into faceless gymnastics exercises — indeed, they have more personality on display here than a host of second- and third-tier prog-metal acts!

Once the "Psychogeist story" is over (including a slamming and surprisingly thrashy title track), "Goddess Nemesis" kicks in. It's an exuberant, fun instrumental that should endear anyone with a pulse to AGE OF NEMESIS, prog-geek or not. This is progressive metal that doesn't forget to rock, and it sounds like it was created by human beings having a great time in the studio. And check out "Eye of the Snake", with its pseudo-Egyptian flourishes slithering out of MERCYFUL FATE's tomb before building into a FATES WARNING-style soaring chorus. "Abraxas" is arguably the peak out of many high points; nearly eight minutes of moody, suspenseful and urgent music with more peaks and valleys than many album sides.

The aforementioned thin production, and some (perhaps deliberately?) outdated keyboard sound choices, will turn some people off to this band — but don't be that superficial, please. This band deserves nothing less than the full support and accolades of the ProgPower set, plain and simple. Any of you who involuntarily drool when new EVERGREY or SYMPHONY X product hits the racks, you've just received your marching orders — AGE OF NEMESIS, on their fifth album, should next in that line of succession on the international stage. Make it happen.

- Keith Bergman

Age of Nemesis are Hungarians and they take their progressive metal quite seriously. This must be one of the few bands I 've ever heard of that hails from that country - so that fact alone - made me a bit skeptical. I was very happy to see - that AON - easily dispelled my fears - by offering a keyboard heavy blend of Technical Prog metal much in the vein of Evergrey and Superior (Are they still around ?) with everslight tinges of Rush.
Overall - it's their second "English" album and it has a few flaws. It sounds a bit generic, the mix is a bit swampy - and some of the keyboards are too dodgy. The singer is good - but either the effects or the recording - makes his voice sound a bit flat. He needs to come more to the fore. The players offer solid enough performances - but lack in way of maturity. There's a conceptual piece spanning in the first 6 songs - and the stupendously titled "Mommy's Crying" is one of the best selections from the album. Breaking Away is also a synopsis of the story - and another strong song. I liked "Eye of the Snake" with it oriental undertones - it even mystified my snake... LOL nice chorus and guitar solo though. There are also two instrumentals there - that are not too bad - a bit too flashy and lacking of much substance - but it's only their second album - so they 're forgiven . They have lots of potential - but they must try a lot harder - as they chose to serve a very demanding and "difficult" genre.

Reviewer: Dimitrios Fatouros.

Right, thinking hats on, kiddies, for this, latest, release from the Hungarian progressive metal band, formerly known as Nemesis, is a bit of a brain whirler.
Age Of Nemesis are an unashamedely progressive rock band – for although they are heavy, and share some sound space with the likes of Evergrey and Symphony X, they are equally looking to the likes of Rush and Fates Warning. They released several albums in their native Hungary before switching over to English vocals and this is their second English release.
"Psychogeist" begins with a six song concept song cycle which concerns itself with psychological drama, the highlight of which is "Mommy's Crying". Then the final five tracks, including two instrumentals, rounds things off. The eastern tinged "Eye of the Snake" is a highlight here, although you will keep thinking, 'where have I heard that before'? Of the instrumentals, the closing "Awakening Minds" is an excellent coda to an excellent album.
The band are all very competent musicians with the Dream Theater guitar work of Zoltan Fabian particularly noteworthy. They've also managed to keep the music firmly rooted in the song melody, something too many progressive bands forget about, concerning themselves too much with showing off their chops. Age of Nemesis have them, they just know when to use them.
A very good album, indeed.

****
Review by Stuart A. Hamilton

Hungary’s Age of Nemesis makes their debut for progressive music’s leading label, Magna Carta. The band chooses the heavier side of progressive music as their platform, though still utilizing the strong, soaring vocals and unique musicianship that are the staples of the genre.

Age of Nemesis have a bit more groove than we are used to hearing in heavy progressive music. In that respect artists like Fates Warning, and to a lesser degree Kansas, almost immediately come to mind when listening to “Psychogeist.” The first six tracks of this album tell the “Psychogeist” story and then it is followed by 3 other tracks and two instrumental ones. Obviously the story is the focus here but it seems to lack in that department. The songs are fine but they never really reach out and grab you and demand your attention, as a result the story never really reveals itself in any sort meaningful way in my opinion. Actually, one of the non-story tracks is the main highlight (“Karma”).

This was a hard review to write because there is nothing particularly bad about Age of Nemesis, everything just sort of gets lost in the clichés of progressive music and because of that you don’t find yourself as impressed as you’re expecting to be. I do like the heavier approach the band takes and the instrumentals prove they can play their instruments quite well- it’s just lacking that special something that makes you want to come back.

Key Tracks: Karma

Reviewed by: Mark Fisher

New record label, slightly different name, same musical direction. Age of Nemesis is back with their second "English" album; their first one "Eden?" was released under the name Nemesis on the Sensory label back in 2002.
"Psychogeist" is a step in the right direction for Age of Nemesis - complex heavy keyboard driven progressive metal songs, which should appeal to most progressive metal fans. The first 6 songs are related to the same concept - a concept based on a psycho-thriller story called: "The Psychogeist Story".
People, who have heard the first "English" album from Age of Nemesis - like myself - will discover a more mature, diverse and complete band showing that progressive metal made in Hungary is quite a treat...
The few marginal flaws, which the first "English" album surely had have all been erased, and I am sure this intriguing album will make some noise in the progressive metal community... do give it a chance!

Recommended: "Grey Room", "Psychogeist", "Breaking Away" & "Abraxas".

Kenn Jensen

Voilà un groupe de Metal Progressif qui nous arrive tout droit de Hongrie. Bien que né seulement en 1997, la bande a déjà réalisé trois véritables albums sous le nom de NEMESIS et en langue hongroise. Sans compter les albums promos et les versions anglaises sorties ou à venir, il faut avouer qu'ils ont vraiment l'air d' en vouloir.
Avec "Psychogeist", deuxième album en anglais, ils en profitent pour rallonger leur nom et deviennent AGE OF NEMESIS. Et même s'ils utilisent plusieurs compositions apparaissant déjà sur leurs précédents albums, le progrès réalisé ici est flagrant. Pas franchement technique mais demandant néanmoins une certaine virtuosité, la musique de AGE OF NEMESIS se veut surtout très Heavy, aidée en cela par une production mettant en avant le son grave des guitares. Les claviers se sont pas en reste et viennent aérer agréablement un ensemble malheureusement parfois tristounet. C'est le reproche que je ferais au groupe. Même si des titres comme "Eye Of The Snake" ou "Psychogeist" ou encore "Abraxas" sont là pour me contredire, les musiciens, y compris le chanteur, ont du mal à retranscrire leurs sentiments au travers de leur musique. Même si le coeur y est, l'émotion, elle, ne passe pas.
Mais leur récent changement de label et leur volonté évidente à obtenir une certaine reconnaissance devraient finir par porter ses fruits. Cela serait mérité en tout cas.

Guy - 15.12.2005

Age of Nemesis are a Hungarian progressive metal band who blend the technical appeal of bands like Superior, Evergrey, and Symphony X and the classic progressive rock melodies and hooks of Rush, Spock’s Beard, and Yes. The album, Psychogeist, creates a sound that borders on being generic progressive metal and original progressive rock. The heavier sections on the album sound a little generic and cheesy, especially with some of the keyboard tones. There will be times where there is a nice chunky riff that is just ruined by unnecessary keyboard hits or sounds. I prefer the sections on the album that aren't "heavy". I try to use the word heavy lightly because none of the album is really that heavy. The less heavy sections on the album seem to be the more original and tasteful sections of the album. I will say that even though there are some cheesy moments all of the songs are real well written and the melodies for the most part are real solid. Some of the guitar playing reminds me of Images and Words Petrucci.
The album starts off like a mini concept album. The first six tracks all follow the same story and are tied together in a very nice fashion. This demonstrates some of the solid song writing. The mini concept section features some heavy moments, some dark moments and some uplifting moments with some cheese thrown in here and there. The song "Mommy's Crying", despite the sappy title, is probably the best track off of the album. It reminds me a little of a mixture between Awake Dream Theater and A Pleasant Shade of Grey Fates Warning. Another highlight of the "Psychogeist Story" is the song "Breaking Away". This is the conclusion to the opus and does a great job wrapping everything up. It has some nice piano parts that remind me a little of a mix between Evergrey and Symphony X then it breaks into some nice Rush influenced prog rock. At the end of the song it brings back melodies from the other parts of the story.
After the "Psychogeist Story" ends the other half of the album begins with a pretty solid instrumental, "Goddess Nemesis". The song is pretty short and features some nice playing by the guitars and keyboards without getting too showy. "Eye of the Snake" takes things a little middle eastern with a really generic melody that prog fans have heard a million times before from one prog band or another. The song does have a real solid chorus and a nice guitar solo. "Karma" and "Abraxas" are mid paced prog rock tunes that remind me of Rush in a way. The album closes with an uplifting piano driven instrumental, "Awakening Minds".
Overall, it is a pretty solid effort. I think if they focused more on the rock aspect of their sound and stripped away some of the cheese they would have a lot of potential.
For fans of Dream Theater, Spock's Beard, Symphony X, and Rush.