{"id":24824,"date":"2013-01-01T09:03:34","date_gmt":"2013-01-01T14:03:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=24824"},"modified":"2014-02-16T09:13:05","modified_gmt":"2014-02-16T14:13:05","slug":"neo-star-nova-z-omega-factor-cd-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2013\/neo-star-nova-z-omega-factor-cd-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Neo-Star Nova Z | Omega Factor<\/em>"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Joe Mis<\/span>
\n– Senior Columnist —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"NeoNeo-Star Nova Z is the colorful moniker of multi-instrumentalist Brian Waymire, and he’s just released his latest CD entitled Omega Factor<\/em>. Basically this is a five song EP, but Brian has added instrumental versions of some songs, plus a number of remixes and demos from an earlier release (Infinity Factor<\/em>).<\/p>\n

Waymire is a decent guitarist, laying down solid rhythm lines and catchy hooks. His soloing is very good, although at times he tries to do a bit too much and ends up overreaching just a little. He is a very good bassist with an effective sense of timing and mood, and his drum work supports both guitar and bass well. The same can be said for his keyboard work \u2013 generally quite effective without dominating.<\/p>\n

\u201cInto The Darkness\u201d opens the album with a bang \u2013 this track is a mixture of electronica, progressive metal and shred. Solid rhythm lines support somewhat manic guitars and gritty vocals, and tempos vary from high speed to slow and ethereal. The instrumental version presented later actually highlights the complexity of his song structure and compositional skills. \u201cEthereal Path\u201d is a sweeping modern progressive-style guitar anthem highlighted by a slick rhythm line and neat keyboards. Some dissonant notes in the solo and light keyboard textures give this a \u201cspacey\u201d feel. \u201cAnnihilation Come Forth\u201d is a short atmospheric synth track filled with lush textures, while \u201cBlackened Skies\u201d has a bit of a symphonic \/ power metal feel to it \u2013 and a nicely done contrast between the intense rhythm line and slow lead keyboard. Waymire’s growled vocals are very effective. \u201cFuture Sight\u201d has an indie electro-pop tone and is a fun track that features very good keyboard work, but the vocals are a bit overdone. The instrumental version has an almost video game feel to it.<\/p>\n

\u201cStranded In Orbit\u201d is a solid instrumental with big hooky guitars \u2013 probably the strongest guitar track on the release, while the demo version is much more of a keyboard track with a darker tone. \u201cAshes of the Earth\u201d is a very well done smooth rock track with interesting keys and a great bass line, while \u201cBlack Out The Light\u201d and \u201cThe Descent\u201d come across as almost industrial. \u201cDark World\u201d is more of a standard prog-metal track with a darker tone. \u201cNova\u201d and \u201cThe Sanctum That is Silence\u201d are a bit dissonant and would make a decent video game soundtrack pieces, while \u201cLeaving\u201d is a keyboard-heavy progressive rocker. \u201cCosmic Journey\u201d is also a bit video-gamey, but it has an interesting drum line and some solid keyboard work.<\/p>\n

It was brave choice for an independent artist to add unreleased tracks and demo versions to a release, but in this case it proves effective. The \u201cdifferent\u201d versions show the listener how a song can evolve, and how subtle changes in arrangement can totally change the feel and mood of a composition. The variety of tones and tempos show Waymire’s chops well, but the variety also keeps the album from holding together as a cohesive project \u2013 it is more of a \u201ccollection\u201d than a coordinated release. That being said, Neo-Star Nova Z rocks!<\/p>\n

Neo-Star Nova Z’s Omega Factor<\/em> is a truly interesting release. Musician Brian Waymire has proven that he has a great deal of raw talent and tons of enthusiasm. A bit more polish and seasoning will bolster the few weak spots in his performance and composition skills and make him an artist to follow if you are a fan of the indie prog-metal scene.<\/p>\n

Genre: Progressive Metal<\/p>\n

Band:
\nBrian Waymire \u2013 all instruments and vocals<\/p>\n

Track Listing:
\n1.\tInto the Darkness
\n2.\tEthereal Path
\n3.\tAnnihilation Come Forth
\n4.\tBlackened Skies
\n5.\tFuture Sight
\n6.\tInto the Darkness (Instrumental Version)
\n7.\tBlackened Skies (Instrumental Version)
\n8.\tFuture Sight (Instrumental Version)
\n9.\tStranded In Orbit (Re-Mixed Instrumental Version)
\n10.\t Ashes of the Earth (Re-Mixed Instrumental Version)
\n11.\t Black Out The Light (Re-Mixed Instrumental Version)
\n12.\t Dark World (Re-Mixed Instrumental Version)
\n13.\t Stranded In Orbit (Demo)
\n14.\t The Descent (Demo)
\n15.\t Into the Darkness (Demo)
\n16.\t Nova (Demo)
\n17.\t Leaving (Demo)
\n18.\t The Sanctum That is Silence (Demo)
\n19.\t Cosmic Journey (Unreleased)<\/p>\n

Label: Independent<\/p>\n

Website: http:\/\/www.brianmichaelwaymire.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven rating: 7\/10<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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