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- We'll put more up as soon as we get some! ___________________________________________________________ http://www.metalcoven.com/review_engage_demo.html ___________________________________________________________
As I was waiting for the CD to start playing, I opened the booklet and thought "Hmmm... The way the lyrics are laid out - (JAMES SOLO) - is eerily reminiscent of Helloween." Then the first scream came. Best early Kiske impersonation EVER! A friend and I used to joke around that the best Helloween clone song is Dreamtale's Where the Rainbow Ends (the demo version, not what ended up on the album), but Engage puts all this to shame in a most excellent manner. The music is maddeningly fast and well executed. The vocals are clean, clear, and crisp - just the way I like them. In tune, too, which is becoming a rarity these days. I am loving every second of this demo. As unbelievable as it may sound, in the materials that came with the demo the band members' average age is listed as 19! How much better can they get in the coming years? However, we must remember that Kiske was even younger when he joined that other band. The song structure is very mature. The quality of the recording is better than most other demos I've heard recently. Engage sound like they have been doing this for a long time. With only a couple of years behind them, this bodes well for the guys' future, even if their choice of shirts for the demo photo is questionable... Rhapsody? Come on! ;) Alas, once again, Engage are heavily handicapped by being from the US of A. Europe will gobble them up in a second. The market here will be much harder to conquer. As I was listening, I had the urge to email the guys and send them running to Glenn Harveston for inclusion in the next ProgPower USA sampler... Hopefully they get to read this review and take the necessary steps. This is one of few promotional opportunities in today's Metal market in the States. Engage belong with that crowd. I want them to do well. Best demo I've ever heard! I expect big things from this foursome. Don't disappoint me, guys!
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_ http://www.metalwarrants.com/Reviews.html ____________________________________________________________
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Engage 2005 demo (self-release) By John Haseltine Wow!! Thats the best way to start this here review. From Richmond, VA come Engage. The average age of the band members is 19. Dont let that fool you though. The sounds that rip through the speakers sounds as if were from any well seasoned power metal band. Engage are James Beard II - guitar/backing vocals, Doug Trammell - drums/backing vocals, Chad Brown - bass/lead vocals and Chris Rudolph - guitar/backing vocals. The music is fast and precise with touches of some melodic influences from European power metal and other style of metal. What can I say. This seven song demo kicks some serious ass. They have only been doing this since 04. I cant say from the time I got this demo till now whether or not the band has been signed, but if any label had any sense at all theyd swoop on these guys. Great musicianship from such a young group of musicians. Listening to this demo, its very easy to mistake it for Helloween in many cases. So for any one into the likes of Helloween, Nocturnal Rites, Fifth Angel, Brimstone, Iced Earth ect., ect. Youre going to think Engage are the next big thing. I think they just may be. Excellent self release guys. Great production. Hope to hear much more from Engage for years to come. www.engagetheband.com
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http://www.maximummetal.com/columns/road/64.asp ____________________________________________________________
I was really anticipating Richmond opener Engage, a young group of talented musicians who play as fast and as loud as early Running Wild and Blind Guardian. The band sent me their demo about a week before this show so I was extremely fired up to see this grand spectacle. Unfortunately as soon as the Jaxx doors sprung open, the band started playing! This can be a great thing in some cases but with me mid-way in a line stretching into the parking lot, the Engage set was lost to me. I slipped in around the same time as the band started their last song, the fantastic demo opener "Pain And Glory". These guys are just amazing live, really captivating the crowd with their guitar razzle dazzle. The band sort of mix early German sounds with the likes of Rhapsody and Stratovarius. Very entertaining! Check 'em out at www.engagetheband.com !
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http://www.jaxxroxx.com/Show%20Pages/show041305-Sonata%20Arc
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Engage, from Richmond, are absolutely one of the best Power Metal bands the area has to offer and their style of music fit perfectly with headliners Sonata Arctica. Great melodies abound within their original compositions. Their playing and cohesiveness has taken a step forward since last I saw them a few months ago opening for Seven Witches. New song "Enslaved" featured a great opening riff and some searing guitar leads. This is a band to watch in the future!You should create your own MySpace Layouts like me by using nUCLEArcENTURy .COM's MySpace Profile Editor !
