A Mind's Portrait Explained

A Mind's Portrait
Type:Studio
Artist:Aeon Zen
Cover:Aeon_Zen-A_Minds_Portrait_Cover.jpg
Released:May 1, 2009
Recorded:2009
Genre:Progressive metal
Label:Time Divide Records
Producer:Rich Hinks
Next Title:The Face of the Unknown
Next Year:2010

A Mind's Portrait is the debut album by British progressive metal group Aeon Zen, first released in May 2009 with catalogue number TDR05009001CD.[1] The album was praised for its intricate montage of "many stylistic elements", spanning "catchy melodies, a diverse mix of songs and styles, and progressive time changes"[2] which "run[s] through the gamut of emotions".[3]

The album's artwork was designed by Mattias Norén, who had previously undertaken work for groups such as Outworld, Evergrey and Into Eternity, among others.[4]

Critical response

The album received generally favorable reviews from niche publications within the Progressive Metal scene. Classic Rock Magazine called the band 'a strong contender for best newcomer at the very, very least' after hearing the album[5] while Progression Magazine called it the "debut album of the year".[6] Elsewhere, the album was hailed as a "refreshing change" amid a stagnated field and "an album to take note of".[7] Stylistically, the album has been compared to others in the field, notably Dream Theater[8]

Track listing

TrackTitleWriterDuration
1ExistenceHinks, Musto, Kravljaca4:10
2Time DivineHinks, Musto, Rue, Shepherd4:18
3Blinded RainHinks, Musto, Green, Hemsley, Kravljaca, Whitten6:33
4Hope's Echo Pt. I – The WakeHinks, Musto, Green, Novak, Whitten3:48
5Hope's Echo Pt. II – The AftermathHinks, Musto, Novak, Whitten4:36
6A Mind's PortraitHinks, Musto3:44
7The Circle's EndHinks, Hemsley1:52
8Heavens FallingHinks, Musto, Van Schuerbeck6:38
9Into the InfiniteHinks, Musto, Kravljaca, Rue6:51
10GoddessHinks4:23
11The Demise of the Fifth SunHinks, Musto, Bouchoucha, Green, Hemsley, Kravljaca, Whitten12:28

Performers and album credits

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Official Aeon Zen site . 2009-09-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090814013318/http://www.aeonzen.com/aboutus.cfm . August 14, 2009 .
  2. Web site: Prog Archives' review of A Mind's Portrait. 2009-09-17.
  3. Web site: Perfect Prog review of A Mind's Portrait . 2009-09-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110715064144/http://www.perfectprog.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2631&Itemid=110 . 2011-07-15 .
  4. Web site: Mattias Norén Portfolio. 2009-09-17.
  5. News: Aeon Zen, A Mind's Portrait. Classic Rock Presents Prog. Future Publishing. July 2009.
  6. News: Aeon Zen: A Mind's Portrait. Progression Magazine. Spring–Summer 2009. 1087-2744. ..
  7. Web site: Sea of Tranquility's review of A Mind's Portrait. 2009-09-17.
  8. Web site: Prog Naut's review of A Mind's Portrait . 2009-09-17 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110322031921/http://www.prognaut.com/reviews/aeon-zen.html . 2011-03-22 .