The Anchoret are a Canadian progressive metal band and this is their debut album.
The Anchoret play a multifaceted brand of progressive metal that takes in aspects of progressive rock and a touch of extreme metal. This has resulted in an album that has plenty of impactful content to instantly appeal, but can also draw the listener back in over time. For a very rough starting point, think a combination of parts of bands such as Karnivool, Between the Buried and Me, Sermon, David Bowie, Dream Theater, Opeth, Queen, The Ocean, Dawnwalker, Ihsahn, and Rush.
It All Began with Loneliness takes influence from multiple eras of progressive music, from long decades ago right to the present day. At times the album veers towards 70s prog rock, at others a more contemporary extreme metal interpretation comes to the fore, while at others we could be in the mid 00s and travelling through a cosmic progressive metal universe.
The band make use not only of the standard instruments, but also of keyboards and synths, saxophone, flute, additional percussion, and gospel vocals. They also benefit from a very strong singer, whose voice is as textured, diverse, and emotive as the music itself is. As this might imply, It All Began with Loneliness has a broad scope and plenty of diversity and depth within its nine tracks.
The songs are expansive and engaging and the progressive structures are immersive and emotive. They have been written and designed to take the listener on a journey through the album’s 59 minutes and out the other side, where you definitely just have the urge to relive the entire experience once again.
Best taken in over time, and with close attention, It All Began with Loneliness is a progressive odyssey with a whole lot to offer fans of progressive metal. The Anchoret have impressed, and this is an album that’s sure to make its mark on those that favour this sort of textured, expressive, and emotive heavy music.
Essential listening.
Wonderbox Metal 