Music:
Member Since: 1/9/2006
Band Website: mindwarpchamber.com
Band Members: EP IS SOLD OUT!
SKEPTICS EYE "EP" CAN STILL BE FOUND AT:
MP3 Skeptics Eye "EP version" - METAL: Progressive Metal
Heavy, Dark and Progressive
What people are saying about "Skeptics Eye"
MINDWARP CHAMBER / SKEPTIC'S EYE
By Progfiles.com Another CD I obtained while attending ProgPower in 2007 was this gem by Chicago based progressive metal band MindWarp Chamber. I typically have CDs handed to me free of charge, but going on a hunch and trusting the word I was hearing from others that I "must have this CD", I went ahead and plunked down the cash for it... and never regretted it one second.
I'm going to keep this relatively short. This album will blow you away. It's symphonic metal with (pardon the pun) mind warping elements that will keep your constant attention. Keyboardist Ed Bethishou is not called "Shreddy" for nothing. This guy RE-DEFINES the keyboard players role in a metal band. It's evident he is classically trained, but make no mistake that he is well educated at the School of Metal.
Kilkenney's drumming is an assault of barbaric beats backing the tightly wound up wall of sound provided by Buczko & Sullivan ...and then there is Scott Huffman - vocalist extraordinaire. He manages to dominate the music and demands attention for his ability to feel the metal current riding underneath his vocal prowess. It's not a matter of IF these guys will be signed to a major label - the only question that remains is WHO it will be to ink the deal.
DALE JUDAY
TheProgFiles.com :
Rating: 5 Stars
MINDWARP CHAMBER / SKEPTIC'S EYE
By MetalToInfinity.com
I'm a fan of Scott Huffman since the very first time I heard the "Unseen Forces" album from the Chicago metal band Syris. As a member of several 'first class' US metal bands Scott proved he's an outstanding singer with a very powerful voice and with a very high range. He can make a perfect balance between the melancholic touch and power. The Spirit Web debut was a classic album in the US metal style and Scott showed with this disc that he belongs to the top of metal vocalists. Meanwhile Scott Huffman is a member of Twelfth Gate, their two albums deserve a place in your metal collection. This guy makes me proud of being a heavy metal fan! With Brent Sullivan, the bass player we know from bands like Winterkill and Slauter Xstroyes (who remembers them?), Jerry Buckzo, Ed Bethishou and Paul Kilkenney a band called Mindwarp Chamber was born. After a release of an wesome two song demo, there's the first official EP now, ''Skeptics Eye''.
Brent Sullivan seems to be the master brain behind Mindwarp Chamber. From the very first notes it's obvious these boys are very talented, motivated, intelligent... Mindwarp Chamber delivers dark progressive strong metal with a very powerful touch. All arrangements are well written with a lot of attention for emotional parts and variation. Typical for progressive metal is the length of the songs but don't worry, in this case you won't be bored at all. The bass guitar plays a very important role in this EP, a leading factor in the whole story of this EP. Brent is not only a very good songwriter, he's the kind of man a good metal band needs.
I can assure you the guitar riffs and solo's are worth trying this band out, mister Jerry Buczko is a natural, the beginning of ''Return To Dust' says it all. Although I'm not such a big fan of keyboards in metal music but I can assure you that I don't have this feeling with Mindwarp Chamber. At the opposite, this is how keyboards should be used in metal, subtle when it should, overwhelming at the perfect moment.
So, I'd like to conclude that Mindwarp Chamber's EP "Skeptics Eye'' is an outstanding debut that brings the band without any doubts at the same level as Symhony X or Dream Theater, although Mindwarp Chamber has more darkness in its music.
The ep is almost sold out so hurry up if you want yours.
My points: 96/100
Review by Officer Nice
Metaltoinfinity.com
MINDWARP CHAMBER / SKEPTIC'S EYE
By Hellspawn Magizine
Until now this ep is one of the biggest surprises of 2007, especially if we're talking about progressive (power) metal. With 5 outstanding musicians I had no doubts this ep would be mind blowing, reality is even better. The guitars, the bass, the keyboards and the drums sounds very natural; this is first class and high skilled metal with plenty of power. Scott Huffman (one of my favorite vocalists) is without any doubts one of the best singers in the present metal scene, "Skeptics eye" shows this ain 't an understatement! Every fan of progressive metal should own this ep. US metal lives again and let Mindwarp Chamber be the proof of it.... In metal!
-Rico of Hellspawn Magazine:
MINDWARP CHAMBER / SKEPTIC'S EYE
By Progulus Radio
Mindwarp Chamber's new EP is high caliber moody, dark and powerful progmetal. Scott Huffman belts out catchy melodies with an epic, monster of a snarling voice along with a sintered amalgam of crunchy guitars and
haunting keyboards. The songwriting is strong and original, not too technical yet not your typical cliché power metal schtick. I highly recommend this band for fans of Beyond Twilight, Warning-era
Queensryche, Symphony X, or Magnitude 9. These guys PRAWK!
-Reviewed by: Mike Klemmer www.progulus.co:
MINDWARP CHAMBER / SKEPTIC'S EYE
By A Fan
WOW! I'm very impressed with the music and the production. The music is very well written Technical Progressive Metal. The musicianship and technical ability of each musician is outstanding! The vocal lines are awesome and go great with the rythmns, riffing, keyboards, and song structure! Very melodic vocals but also high energy and powerful! The keyboard player totally shreds as good as the best players from over in Europe ! He's also a very good composer and his chords and scales compliment the music exceptionally well. Brent Sullivan on bass has probably outdid anything he's done previously both technically, rythmically and compositionally (is that a real word?). At times the bass even sounds like a classical guitar! The heavy bass riffing on some of these tunes is very technical and he pulls it off perfectly. The guitar playing is very tasteful well written and melodic with a lot of time changes, staccato and technical riffing. The drumming is exceptional and keeps the music very exciting and full of energy. The drums go from walking beats to full blown double bass shred rythms in an instant! On top of the great compositions is a great well mixed production. It sounds like the production of a Major Label Money Recording! So far my favorite songs are Skeptic's Eye and the bonus track which totally rules! I hope you guys can find a way to get paid because you deserve it!. Good luck with your future plans.
- Reviewed by: Paul Speredes-fan:
MINDWARP CHAMBER / SKEPTIC'S EYE
By A Fan
From Track One, you know these Guy's mean business. This is Progressive Metal at the highest level . Thundering Bass and Drums ,Raunchy and Melodic Keyboards and Grinding yet Tasteful Guitar work all Complementing the Color driven and Solid Vocal Prowess of Scott Huffman.
"Through Crimson Shores" lays it squarely on the line and sets the mood of 'Skeptics Eye' from the crushing first few bars the scene is set. This 1st song weaves and winds its way through a 7/8 progression before hitting you with the main vocal through the song and setting the mood and pace of the CD for Seven minutes plus they seem to somehow maintain a strong theme through several passages, time changes and strong vocal turns .The 2/4 end passage almost begs a merge into the title track of the cd, "Skeptics Eye"( Kill The Weak ) with its single crunching Guitar intro into a solid double time passage which then blends into the main song. Mr Huffman's vocals are strong here and almost demands you to listen to His story of "Skeptics Eye" Deliver Yourself, Come Join this Emptiness....The Skeptic's Eye". This is a powerful track with lots of meaning.4/4 time blending powerfully into the first half time progression and back again through the cycle and repeating, abruptly charging into a driving and bone crunching bridge pattern and guitar/ keyboard playoff under a strong bass and drum driven passage which blends perfectly back to the chorus, "Kill The Weak Within" He sings as the band grinds your bones to the shattering climax . The six minutes thirteen seconds leaves you begging for more, before again your hit with track 3 "Against The Wish", which in many ways could be their 'Single' release, off this EP cd . Soaring vocals leading into a strong 4/4 time passage with heavy accents and high pitched guitar stabs against a solid backdrop of bass and keyboards, leading into more half time and strong gut crunching riffs. Then.. He ( Mr Kilkenney ) hits you with the double kick drum and the band accent through the next passage, guitar answering counter rhythms and vocals warning you desperately of what follows. "Happy Now....World Is Upside Down In Pain" He sings, as more strong lyrics lead into another 4/4/, 2/4 passage which leads you into the first subtle but still flashy guitar solo from Mr Buczko which is then answered equally by Keyboardist Mr Bethishou (Shreddy). This dueling continues for some one and half to two minutes before being interrupted again by some very flashy drumming. He's ( Mr Kilkenney ) is telling you to slow down, giving the band the space to move to the next bridge pattern which is quite laid back and here Mr Huffman provides further proof of his vocal prowess with light and shade building to more accented crunch riffs and here. Again, Mr Buczko counter plays the band back in to a solid 4/4 feel, again Mr Huffman's voice takes you on a ride of high's and low's, harmonies blending and mixing well with his solid and soaring patterns,probably the most adventurous yet, this guy tells the story so well, you go back and listen again and again. Just when you think the song's done. .We're back at the beginning main riffs of the song leading you to the final double chorus and the very long final note sung by Mr Huffman.."Against The Wish". But it just gets better. Track Four "Return To Dust" my personal favorite song on the EP is the longest of the songs being ten minutes 11 seconds. The beautiful 6 time guitar intro by Mr Buczko sets the mood well and weaves it's way into the half time first passage of this Epic song. The thundering bass notes of Mr Sullivan are calling you to "LISTEN"! to what Mr Huffman is telling you, lulling you into a false secure place....Then the "sirens" sound, the moods changed, but briefly as we go back to our safe place, listening intently to the story we're being told "The Common Enemy, Is What We Share! Who'll Stand Behind Me" as the band falls back into a solid groove,followed by a softer passage Mr Huffman is asking you ,who you really are in this world. "Who'll Help The Enemy's Return To Dust". Leading into a jazzy accented passage followed on with more crunch chords and souring piano work into Mr Sullivan's first but very significant Bass solo passage, connecting beautifully with the following half time passage, which again winds and weaves into an unusual 3/4 passage " Mountains Of Wishes And Promises".. sings Mr Huffman taking you into the eloquently played and longest guitar solo of Mr Buczko (could be longer) and we're back. Deep,crunching riffs taking you into another well played Keyboard solo,again the longest,blending well to the almost sudden stop and taking you on another time journey and another vocal story."Gather Round People" He sings, as he tells you more of His story. Suddenly Mr Sullivan's second solo and most important connection point of this song breaks in racing up and down the bass neck calling the other members to join in...and they do without question driving you into a 4/4 progression, drums playing, double kick pounding, all follow almost frantically as Mr Huffman warns us of the consequences and end results of this story.."It's Only To Dust" he sings and this leads us back to the jazzy passage from earlier then...the "sirens" sound again. We're back at the opening passage of my favorite song by the way . Make sure you listen to Mr Huffman's last vocal lines..This is the whole song. Brilliant. Track 5 "Closing The Chapter" is a Bonus track from a previous era of "Mindwarp Chamber". This song will be re-recorded.
Once again a very well crafted and played track, with plenty of light and shade, but I will reserve my complete review of this track when I hear final mix on the new complete "Mindwarp Chamber" full cd releasing soon.
-Review By Chris Otter.NZ Drummer-fan:
Influences:
Besides for ourselves, Symphony X, Dream Theater, Nevermore, Children of Bodem, Mudvyne, Spiral Architect, Machine Head, Mercyful Fate, Iron Maiden, Slipnot, Sevendust, Bruce Dickenson, Liquid Tension, Disturbed, Metal Church, Iced Earth, Into Eternity, Sex, local music, Beyond Fear, Winters Bane, Metal Church and a shitload more!
Sounds Like:
Mindwarp Chamber, Symphony X, Dream Theater, Children Of Bodem and blends of new and old style metal.
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Record Label: Netherworld Records
Type of Label: Indie
