Much as I love music from pretty much all aspects of the hard rock pantheon, to paraphrase former MegaForce Records head honcho Johnny Z, every so often we all need a good dose of metal up the ass! Currently creating quite a buzz on the underground circuit (and with damn good reason), Futures End certainly deliver plenty of hard hitting rifferama to your gluteus maximus! Regarded as something of a minor league supergroup, Futures End was initially put together a couple of years ago by guitarists Christian Wentz (Circle II Circle) and Marc Pattison – without doubt two of the best technical shredders in the business. Joined by former Zero Hour vocalist Fred Marshall and the one time Testament / Sadus rhythm section - Steve DiGiorgio and Jon Allen (bass and drums respectively) – it’s easy to see why that on paper at least, they’re getting one or two people all hot and bothered.......
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Futures End is not exactly a 'supergroup', but looking at the pedigree of the five guys in the band, I suppose you'd be forgiven for thinking so.
At one time in 'rival' bands, guitarists Marc Pattison and Christian Wentz decided to work on something together, initially to see what would happen. The addition of singer Fred Marshall moved things further along, making Futures End a band instead of a project. Completing the lineup is the impressive duo of bassist Steve DiGiorgio and drummer John Allen. Childhood friends that have played together before [Dragonlord, Testament, Sadus], they each know what the other is capable of and bring a strong chemistry to the band that's hard to beat......
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Even though I am not a fan of the specific sound, I just couldn’t help it when I saw the band’s line up. There is nothing Steve Di Giorgio has done and I don’t like it, I love every single note this guy plays! His new... Wait, I am not being fair. This is not Steve Di Giorgio, this is actually a band/project comprised of known and talented musicians that have left their own mark on the Metal scene. You really don’t know these guys?
I will start by mentioning the man that takes the band’s music and lifts it up to the sky, Fred Marshall. Remember "A Fragile Mind"? Yes, he was the man behind the microphone in that magical ZERO HOUR album. Of course he is not alone, since in FUTURES END he is backed up by the frenzy twin Steve Di Giorgio and John Allen who have already kicked ass with SADUS together and have played with acts like TESTAMENT, DEATH and CONTROL DENIED to name a few. Is that enough? Probably not since shredders Marc Pattison and Christian David Wentz deliver heavenly melodies their own style.
I sound kind of excited, huh? You still haven’t listened to the album, that’s why it seems weird to you. FUTURES END are not here to change the history of Metal music or something even close. FUTURES END are here to deliver high quality Progressive/Power Metal with incredible guitar work and melodies that will enchant your mind, soaring vocals and a rhythm section that really needs no comments. The great thing about these guys is that they have laid down their musical talent and experience after so many years in the scene, and have masterfully crafted an album that is able to restrict itself within some logical boundaries. What do I mean by this...
Such music as Progressive/Power Metal can easily fall into the trap of being tiring, meaninglessly technical and without having something actual to offer to the listener. As I said above, the members use their experience to restrict themselves and manage to spread their technique into catchy and melodic songs without making the listener get tired or bored throughout the listening session. The rhythm section is really technical and builds a wall where the guitar twin is based, but the structure sounds really solid, believe me.
All in all, FUTURES END seem to have released a debut album worthy of its members’ history. Even though some may think that this is just one more shitty all star project, FUTURES END clear any doubts from the very first seconds of "Memoirs Of A Broken Man". My only objection is the IRON MAIDEN cover. I don’t think it was necessary and it is definitely not one of the best covers I have ever heard. - Yiannis D - www.metal-temple.com
Futures End's Memoirs of a Broken Man will surely satisfy any metalhead who likes their metal heavy, powerful, and technical. The scope of story and song is only outpaced by the magnificence and power of the musicianship. - Craig Hartranft - www.dangerdog.com
"Memoirs Of A Broken Man" is technically and sonically pure. It assults the ears (in a good way) with a barrage sound that can only be appreciated with the volume on your iPod turned all the way up. "Inner Self" perfectly blends Fred Marshall's coarse vocals with Lance King's melodic tones to make for what I think may be the cds best track. Christian metalheads looking for quality power metal will really enjoy this album." - Steve Roush - http://almightymetalradio.com/
"Intense new band fronted by former Zero Hour vocalist Fred Marshall. The focus of the band is the dual guitars of Marc Pattison and Christian Wentz. The formidable rhythm section consists of Sadus members Jon Allen and Steve DiGiorgio. Marshall sings in a purely clean style and it mates very well with the speed/tech/thrash compositions. Don't look for too much in the way of keyboard action here. Guitars are the focus. Many played in unison, Pattison and Wentz are super tight. Plenty of nice soloing as well. This one will make many Top 10 lists at years end. Highly recommended." - www.lasercd.com
“It's mindblowingly good, I could listen to stuff like this all day long! Brilliant!” - George Ketigenis (Metal Hammer, Greece)
"Memoirs of a Broken Man" is the record of the year and "Remembering Tomorrow" is the song of the decade!!! 'Nuff said. - George Ketigenis (Metal Hammer, Greece)
This music is brilliant. Not only does this record take you through an intense journey while leaving your metal claws up in the air as if you were holding a crystal ball, you also can't help but to groove to the punishing rhythms that endlessly draw you from one place to another.....and that's just the beginning. The musicianship on Memoirs of a Broken Man is inspiring on all levels while you tell everyone to kiss your ass because it's cranked so loud!!" - Joe Nunez/Soulfly
