[9 points]

AKPHAEZYA-Anthology II (Ascendance Records)

I learned about this band and album, while listening to the Sonic Cathedral sampler “A World Of Sirens”, where they submitted the song “The Bottle Of Lie”. From that moment on, I knew that I had to review the CD by this French band for our online webzine. AKPAEZYA mixes a lot of very different styles in their music: ranging from metal to jazz, easy-listening to gothic metal and some progressive stuff as well. You name it and they play it. Already after short opener “Preface”, they will astonish you with a song, called “Chrysalis”, in which they open all registers. And if you think, the whole CD will be filled with this kind of musical madness and aggressive power, better think again. They are in for another surprise. Because “Beyond The Sky” is on next - an acoustic song, which is still very expressive, but so different from “Chrysalis”. Be warned, much more of these sidesteps will follow on this album. “Khamsin” for example sounds very jazzy and fusion-like with some heavy riffs. It’s hard to describe. A mix of FRANK ZAPPA, ATROX and TORI AMOS or KATE BUSH. Simply mix and stir real heavily, and you’ll might get what AKPAEZYA is all about. But there is so much more to this band, that doesn’t fit this weird description. DIAL could be a nice reference in the more emotional and darker parts of their sound. Mehl Aëlin’s voice can do almost everything. She can scream, she can whisper, she can sound emotionally, sexy and erotic, but she can also really sing. Besides that, she also plays the keyboards. All the more reason to refer this band to TORI AMOS here. Besides Mehl, the band consists of Stephan on guitars, Stéphane on bass and Loïc on drums. While a song like “Reflections” sounds jazzy again with some wild eruptions of Mehl here and there. It keeps their music exciting and flowing. “Awake” is a short instrumental intro to a song with the remarkable title “The Golden Vortex Of Kaltaz”. It’s a very exciting piece of music, starting with something that could very well be on a classical album. But then all of the sudden, the band explodes in some kind of ARCH ENEMY-like blast beat. Surprises all over, as you can see. “The Secret Of Time” has got a lengthy instrumental intro, including some Eastern influences, which are also to be heard in Mehl’s vocal parts. While “Stolen Tears” is a short emotional song, followed by another short track, called “Trance: H.L.4.” However, it’s a bit harder to describe that last one properly. It’s some kind of musical freewheeling with an African touch. Are you still with me? I hope so. Well, we have one more challenge for you and that is “The Bottle Of Lie”. It’s my first introduction to this band. A mix of styles are glued together in eight minutes of freaky music, including some KATE BUSH-like vocals and an accordion. If you judge this CD by its cover, you could say that this is a death metal band. However, the jazzy parts (again) in the middle of “The Bottle Of Lie” will definitely prove you wrong. After hearing this one song, my attention was caught right away. And after listening to the whole CD, I know that my feeling was right. This “Anthology II” is a wonderful piece of art. It’s definitely not meant for those, who suffer from a nervous breakdown, but when you’re in for a freaky treat to your ears, then you must have a listen to AKPHAEZYA. All other music may sound very dull after hearing this mix of styles. I had a great time listening to the eleven songs on this fifty minutes album, which closes with a prayer in a language, that I don’t understand. Now, what do you mean, weird!??
[9 points]
(Toine van Poorten)

[9 points]
Metalmaidens.com