Search - Of Infinity :: Essence of Infinity

Kenneth W. (Eyesore) from TAUNTON, MA
Reviewed on 12/4/2007...

Of Infinity was conceptualized in 1999. Their roots were planted in Utah, but then they moved to Arkansas (big mistake, I could have told them that), then they moved to the tri-state area of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, then they moved back to Utah, and finally found themselves in Houston, Texas! Yeehaw! So, if you're asking yourselves why a band that's been around for 7 years can only manage to release one 3-song EP, this may answer your question. It also gives you a little insight on the dedication of this band being that all their cross-country roaming was based solely on finding the right band members to complete their vision of Of Infinity.

Nazareth (guitars) was previously in the black metal band Fallen Empire -- one of the few mention-worthy bands from Arkansas -- so you can assume the level of guitarmanship is top-notch. The music is much in the vein of The Gathering, Flowing Tears and Aegis-era Theatre Of Tragedy, but without the male vocals and a little less symphonic. Vocally, Alessandra is clearly on top of her game, her lush, strong soprano vocals captivate and her melodies are outstanding. The one drawback of this EP, besides its length, is its production; occasionally -- like in the beginning of "The Voice Without" -- it can seem a little noisy without any one instrument standing out. This usually doesn't last long, and it can easily be overlooked, but it is there nonetheless. The song itself is a mid- to fast-paced jam with everything from acoustics to piano and synthesizer to double-bass to a heavy galloping riff, punctuated by a strong, memorable chorus. "Shadow Of A Lie" follows with an acoustic intro interlaced with violin before kicking into a heavy groove, a little less in-your-face than the first track, but no less catchy; subtlety is the key here. On a completely pointless side note, the solo in "It's Only For Forever" -- a great, piano-based metal ballad with a killer chorus -- sounds a lot like the solo in Testament's "Return To Serenity" -- the greatest, most soulful metal solo of all time (don't argue with me).

In a genre overflowing with similar bands, Of Infinity aren't going to change your mind if you're not already a fan of this style. But if you are a fan, you can add a nice little EP to your collection. It likely won't trump your top album, but it should be knocking on the door. All in all, this is a great EP and worth the $5 it'll cost you to pick it up.

Website: http://www.ofinfinity.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ofinfinity

Of Infinity - Powerful Dark Female-Fronted Melodic Metal

azbd | San Antonio, Texas USA | 04/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of Infinity was conceptualized and born in 1999 by founding members, guitarist Nazareth Sando (formally of Little Rock's Fallen Empire (www.fallenempire.org) and vocalist/synthasist Alessandra Zinicola. Living hundreds of miles apart, Nazareth and Alessandra began flying cross the US between New Jersey and Arkansas to develop them selves and their music. Their quest for adept band members has taken them on all sides of the country with notable stops in Pennsylvania, Arkansas, New Jersey, and Utah. The band has since settled in San Antonio, Texas. The band writes, records, and plays music that is as intense and beautiful as can be created. Described as heavy, gothic, doom, progressive, and melodic, and likened to such bands as Lacuna Coil, Evanescence, The Gathering, After Forever, Darkwell, Nightwish, and Theatre Of Tragedy, Of Infinity is appealing to fans of all styles of metal and hard rock. With an uncompromising drive, Of Infinity continues to bring into being breathtaking metal...metal that's powerful, metal that's melodic, metal that's dark...the metal Of Infinity.

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