A Mind's Portrait

Last updated
A Mind's Portrait
Aeon Zen-A Minds Portrait Cover.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 1, 2009
Recorded2009
Genre Progressive metal
Label Time Divide Records
Producer Rich Hinks
Aeon Zen chronology
A Mind's Portrait
(2009)
The Face of the Unknown
(2010)

A Mind's Portrait is the debut album by British progressive metal group Aeon Zen, first released in May 2009 with catalogue number TDR05009001CD. [1] The album was praised for its intricate montage of "many stylistic elements", spanning "catchy melodies, a diverse mix of songs and styles, and progressive time changes" [2] which "run[s] through the gamut of emotions". [3]

Contents

The album's artwork was designed by Mattias Norén, who had previously undertaken work for groups such as Outworld, Evergrey and Into Eternity, among others. [4]

Critical response

The album received generally favorable reviews from niche publications within the Progressive Metal scene. Classic Rock Magazine called the band 'a strong contender for best newcomer at the very, very least' after hearing the album [5] while Progression Magazine called it the "debut album of the year". [6] Elsewhere, the album was hailed as a "refreshing change" amid a stagnated field and "an album to take note of". [7] Stylistically, the album has been compared to others in the field, notably Dream Theater [8]

Track listing

TrackTitleWriterDuration
1ExistenceHinks, Musto, Kravljaca4:10
2Time DivineHinks, Musto, Rue, Shepherd4:18
3Blinded RainHinks, Musto, Green, Hemsley, Kravljaca, Whitten6:33
4Hope's Echo Pt. I – The WakeHinks, Musto, Green, Novak, Whitten3:48
5Hope's Echo Pt. II – The AftermathHinks, Musto, Novak, Whitten4:36
6A Mind's PortraitHinks, Musto3:44
7The Circle's EndHinks, Hemsley1:52
8Heavens FallingHinks, Musto, Van Schuerbeck6:38
9Into the InfiniteHinks, Musto, Kravljaca, Rue6:51
10GoddessHinks4:23
11The Demise of the Fifth SunHinks, Musto, Bouchoucha, Green, Hemsley, Kravljaca, Whitten12:28

Performers and album credits

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References

  1. "Official Aeon Zen site". Archived from the original on August 14, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  2. "Prog Archives' review of A Mind's Portrait" . Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  3. "Perfect Prog review of A Mind's Portrait". Archived from the original on 2011-07-15. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  4. "Mattias Norén Portfolio" . Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  5. "Aeon Zen, A Mind's Portrait". Classic Rock Presents Prog. Future Publishing. July 2009.
  6. "Aeon Zen: A Mind's Portrait". Progression Magazine. Spring–Summer 2009. ISSN   1087-2744.
  7. "Sea of Tranquility's review of A Mind's Portrait" . Retrieved 2009-09-17.
  8. "Prog Naut's review of A Mind's Portrait". Archived from the original on 2011-03-22. Retrieved 2009-09-17.