The Enigma Division are set to release their long awaited self titled debut album on the 27th of January. Featuring the virtuosic talents of guitarist Conor McGouran [ex-Xerath], with acclaimed producer/mixer/composer/drummer, Ben Wanders [ex-Xerath/Shardbourne], and Ronan Burns (International Man of Mystery) , with guest appearances from William Alex Young (Defences), Derek Sherinian (Sons Of Apollo/Planet X/Dream Theater), and Sam Bell (Mask of Judas/Solo).
I had my niece/nephew here at the weekend for his 6th birthday. They had their Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series S, after many games of Fortnite (which we won five games) together and all the questions I was wrecked! It was 8pm and I sat down with a beer and had to look for something to watch. I spotted a Korean film JUNG_E and went with that. Really enjoyable film if you’re into Asian sci-fi. It was the perfect film in hindsight as after it had finished I checked my emails and was extremally happy to see Oran at Overdrive.ie had sent me on an advance of the album. I stuck it on and oh my dear lord this was everything I expected it to be and more! It’s eight tracks of absolute brilliance! I listened to it twice in the end, then realising it was late and I’d drank too much listening to this masterpiece.
As the band have released five tracks ahead of release (which will be all posted here), there’s a good advertisement already out there for those of interest. Wait until you hear the others! Echoes In The Deep in particular. Holy tap dancing shit! Kaleidoscope is utterly brilliant too.
What can I say? Man, how can this be put into words? It can’t basically! It’s just another level! The guitar playing is out of this world. The keyboard/synth sections are just magical. Then you have Ben’s amazing drums and vocals with Ronan holding it all together nicely. The lyrics are incredible and it feels like something from a science fiction epic with a true dystopian feel throughout. There’s valleys, dynamics, amazing leads/solos, it has it all and done to absolute perfection.
I’m going to say it! This is the Irish Dark Side Of The Moon. This has never happened to this degree before and like DSOTM it’s ahead of its time and timeless brilliance. It’s genuinely that good to my ears.
It’s a true album and body of work. When you listen to it as intended, it reaches another level. The tracks are all excellent, but as a body of work. Wow! Perfection!
Album of the year? Absolutely! Nothing will get within a country mile of this. It’s a special album. One that comes along every now and then and just absolutely blows your mind!
In closing, this is one the best albums I have ever heard. It’s magical! Absolute perfection that gets better with every listen.
10/10
Pre-order at this link: https://theenigmadivision.bandcamp.com/album/the-enigma-division?fbclid=IwAR23H48OS1DsmHlNEPkfyUAL8vV3iOaa9NmYMqpO_d1jEGU7ZxKbZfPmr3Y
Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEnigmaDivision
All previously released tracks here in order of appearance on the album for your listening pleasure.
Burning Metal 