The samey, dragged out lethargy simply kills the album as a whole.
Apparently, this album is a "mystical journey between the esoteric and the vivid reality, between choices, dreams, loves, fears, anger and introspection". I don't know about you, but when I read that it just says "no catchy choruses, matey... this is deep shit", and boy isn't that just the truth with Afterlife Symphony's second album.
The main problem with 'Moments Between Lives' is that it's boring. I have played the thing into double figures and couldn't hum any of it or pick a track that stands out as special. The tracks are almost uniformly mid-tempo and so earnest it makes you wince, like reading a fourteen year old Goth's book of meaningful poetry.
There's definitely musicianship here, with well-played instruments and some nice sections throughout – it's not a terrible album by any means. Anna Giusto has a decent voice but she always sounds bloody miserable. It would be nice to hear her on something with a bit of joy in it.
It's a frustrating album to be sure. There are flashes of bands like Nightwish every now and then, usually during instrumental sections, but they're beaten down by the samey, dragged out lethargy that simply kills the album as a whole. If you're a Symphonic Metal fan I would seriously avoid this as there are many better bands out there. Then again, if you're a fourteen year old Goth girl, you'll probably have a ball.
Alan Holloway
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