Review Summary: aliens.
Concept albums are either something you pay attention to and attempt to examine or dissect for their story lines or they're just an album full of songs covering the same subject without the need for explanations or outside study. Overly confusing and difficult plots often fail to work in music without the narrative or film to accompany them, but here comes a simple subject that carries the story throughout each listen.
When I think of great concept records I picture Operation Mindcrime, Thick as a Brick, Scenes from a Memory and Tommy. Nowadays I can usually see Cursed Legacy's The Encounter I: Bound for Nonexistence somewhere in the not-too extensive list of storytelling albums that have been executed properly without the need for complex listening.
The Encounter places its entire focus on an unnamed and undetailed character who was abducted by aliens and returned to his family and friends who are having a difficult time trying to make sense of the traumatic experience he alleges to have had. Throughout the journey, the lyrical themes cover him questioning his own sanity and being ridiculed by cliché and smart arse remarks that have been thrown in his direction. "Beam me up Scotty beam me up, yeah there's little joke that I haven't heard but if you choose to take my side then expect ridicule and your sanity denied"
Though not genius, the album is filled with words and sounds that complement the anguish the listener is expected to feel upon being given the unsettling tale that isn't exactly far-fetched or science fiction when compared to the stories we hear in reality.
“They put the needle in my body / Extract the DNA / Nothing could prepare me /For what would have became / You try your hardest / There’s nothing to change my mind /Because I know what I saw, I know what you’ll find”
Vocal and guitar work aside, this album is certainly heavier and fuller than anything they've released prior to or since. It's the first and only Cursed album (so far) that features growls and somewhat screamo backing. This actually works to the advantage of the album and gives the lyrics a bit more stress.
Closing the story is the ambient ballad "Missing" which, though no way near as polished or beautiful, reminds me of Haken. The vocal performance of the track is mediocre at best but if you take into account the emotions expressed throughout the record, it would seem that this is intentional which hasn't been evident in many albums with the exception of Pink Floyd's The Wall. The raw authenticity of the album which contains no auto tune and a band whose vocalist isn't their strongest possession survives the description of Cursed Legacy.
Symphonic, multi-instrumental and classic rock opera with a taste of industrial Nine Inch Nails, Pain and even early Anathema. This paragraph alone sums up what you would need if you haven't heard anything from the band. The record is filled with instrumentals and strange effects that are there to aid the storyline, though whether or not they can be treated as filler or not is down to the listener. Some of the moments within the record do feel unnecessary.
The Encounter is a great record that may not be as polished as it could be but it is far from brickwalled and sounds entirely natural and dynamic. It doesn't break the ground or raise the bar but it features all one could want from the modern day substitute for acts like King Crimson, Yes and even early Genesis.
Recommended tracks:
Cult Civilisation & The Beings
Beam
Beyond Fear and Reality
Missing
