ENVINITY: Sweet Painful Reality

ENVINITY

Sweet Painful Reality

© 2002 envinity (664409152427)

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Powerful, melodic, moody and thought provoaking, Sweet Painful Reality creates a palatable blend of metal, electronic, symphonic and pop. "One of the 10 BEST albums of 2002." says Starvox.net.

tracks

1 Snow
2 Indulgence
3 Endure
4 Pulse
5 Just One More Kiss
6 In The Twilight
7 When It's Over (Let Me Linger)
8 Oh Little Girl
9 Raining Unlike Water
10 Of heavenly Blood

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notes

For a list of all Envinity albums, go here: www.cdbaby.com/all/envnity



SWEET PAINFUL REALITY REVIEW
By Joel Steudler / www.RayGunsOfDeath.com


It often takes bands several albums to realize their full potential and hit upon a sound that is both uniquely their own and superbly crafted. I can't say for sure that Envinity's mastermind Niko has reached the upper limits of his ability on 'Sweet Painful Reality', but I can say with
conviction that he has produced an expertly shaped opus of progressive gothic rock.

Astoundingly, this is his (and Envinity's) debut album. If 'Sweet Painful Reality' is only the tip of Niko's creative iceberg, I can hardly wait to hear what will surface as his artistic skills mature. Some songwriters simply seem to have a gift for knowing how to arrange lyric, flowing music. Niko and his cohort Thomas blend brooding keyboard chords, emotionally charged vocals, various electronics, and heavy guitars into a smooth and powerful listening experience.

The mood throughout 'Sweet Painful Reality' is generally somber, melancholy, or wistful... but Niko doesn't mope around. Mid-paced tempos drive the music along, and there always seems to be something interesting to listen to popping up over the course of each lengthy track. The full album weighs in at a hefty seventy-one minutes, but it never feels like it's been overextended or bloated with filler. The active and dense instrumental arrangements and generally lively percussion see to it that the listener is never bored.

Niko's vocals are the highlight of the album. His voice reminds me of Jon Olivia or Zak Stevens from Savatage... though not as powerful as the latter nor as gruff as the former. Niko delivers the lyrics with an expressive mid-range timbre that is well suited to the style at hand. Too often these days, bands seem to feel that they're obligated to include either a classically trained female vocalist or a growly, menacing male rasper on their albums. It's refreshing to hear a band (if you can call two guys a band, anyhow) rely on a single male vocalist who employs clean vocals over the course of a whole record. Even more pleasing is that the performance never becomes stale, and the lack of vocal variety doesn't hurt the music at all. Note to other bands: having clean, emotionally charged vocals can be just as effective and intense as gravel-throated rasping!

Fans of dark, progressive music with a gothic edge are likely to love this album. I can safely recommend it to anyone that appreciates the smoother side of dark music, especially those that enjoy articulate and stirring clean male vocals. For a debut album that was independently funded and produced, Envinity's 'Sweet Painful Reality' is a very mature offering with high production values. It is easily on par technically with any other commercial release from the big record labels, and deserves to find its way into the hands of what should become a broad fanbase.

reviews

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  • Perfectly established style
    author: johnathan galeoto

    This album is one that succeeds where others fail. It maintains its style through the entire album without falling to predictable trappings. Envinity's style is sullen, atmospheric, and emotional without overplaying any of those aspects. "In The Twilight", one of the darker tracks, has a permeating chorus which ventilates the foreboding verse. This song, along with "Oh Little Girl" and "Pulse", perfectly display how Envinity's distinction comes from the control of the facets in their music; just when think the album may fall to mediocrity, Envinity reminds you that they are superior.

  • Beautiful a MUST Have!
    author: Lilith

    A much toned version than Empyreal Progeny. But don’t be fooled Envinity doesn’t fail to amaze. As this journey will take you into a poetic dream. Mysterious obscurity and yet so Beautiful. Their power is unique and inviting but don’t take my word for it. See for yourself!!!

  • Darkly Beautiful! Emotional...
    author: Penny!

    I was blown away by the maturity musicially and in the production and musicianship. I loved that there is no screaming vocals where the articulation and diction is lacking. Niko's vocals are amazing, and I dare say they are just as good as Dream Theater or other progressive bands that have obviously been an influence. Just Beautiful!

  • more than i expected
    author: reese

    I love this album, Niko's voice is amazing. Every song is powerful, definately worth every penny.

  • Progressive...Melancholy...Masterpiece!
    author: James

    This is a masterpiece! Envy has caught my attention with their melancholy-drenched progressiveness! This release does not disappoint!!

  • Surreal... And very emotionally charged!
    author: Andrew

    Great, a very down to earth yet soaring sound... A melodic and mysterious sound is what comes across. Different from what you hear going through the mainstream selections, and so it is worth buying!

  • SWEET!
    author: Hammerlock

    Awesome, well-written atmospheric music! This is definitely worth a listen!

  • These are high quality tunes!
    author: Brodyman Nooge

    These are high quality tunes, if you can apreciate the amount of effort that it takes for an artist to endure to create a CD that can touch so many different people on alot of different levels than you must look into this album. 'Sweet Painful Reality' is quite possibly the best CD that I have ever heard. there is so much heart and feeling that has been put into this CD that it's unreal. So I say way to go Niko and dont forget the little people.

  • Amazing!
    author: Jenny

    This is truely an amazing album! I wasn't expecting the emotions that this work of art brings out. Everyone should definately check this one out, it will bring you to your knees.

  • Emotionally Charged
    author: Steeltears

    I really don't think that many bands/artists can pull emotions and give them to the listener from such powerful lyrics as Envy does. Beautiful, graceful and very deep...this is how I would describe the album in my review.

  • Envy, displays the beauty in ugly feelings
    author: Andrea (xxjessickas_vivicaxx@yahoo.com)

    I first heard this at work. The cd was sent to us, and I was asked to give a second opinon. I was very surprised at the maturity of the sound, I also found it delightfuly pretentious. Each track on this cd brings back emotions I've shared with at least one ex. Feelings of dispair, loss, and lack of control are things I now welcome to relive, via this disk.

  • A true work of art...
    author: Matt

    I love the album. I actually know you. So i know the craftmanship of this unique album. I see you at Safeway... Anyways great album. Have Fun...

  • author: Sruth

    This CD is one of the best CD's out there. The music is wonderful and the voice.. It's all wonderful. I am surprised to know one person did ALL the music. It's awesome, it's totally worth the money.

  • quehboles! y las demas rolas?? que pedo??!
    author: Creator

    Well,primero que nada esta muy chido one(really cool)!me and my friend like it a lot!!,this is one of the best cds you can find(gothic metal)if you like this genre i recomend it.also look for beseech esta de poca madre wuey!!!!!!!!!en serio no tiene madre.

  • SCURRY INTO A DARK, GLOOMY, PARADISE OF ENVY
    author: Phil

    SNOW 6:09 INDULGENCE 6:39 ENDURE 6:02 PULSE 5:59 JUST ONE MORE KISS 6:47 IN THE TWILIGHT 7:22 WHEN IT’S OVER (LET ME LINGER) 6:54 OH LITTLE GIRL 7:05 RAINING UNLIKE WATER 6:58 OF HEAVENLY BLOOD 11:24 TOTAL TIME 71:24 Scurry into a dark, gloomy, paradise of Envy. Mysterious, magical yet provocative and evil. Envy is indulging, alluring and simply disturbing. Sweet Painful Reality is indeed a powerful shrine under the progressive musical mask. Envy is as progressively charming as Dream Theaters Blockbuster album Images & Words but yet as mysterious as a Floydian soundscape. Musically Envy is stunning for we pass through layers of ominous keys, crunching guitars, slamming drums and astounding vocals. Oh Little Girl (My favorite track) enlists us into the undeniable feeling of winter’s wrath or perhaps we are lost in some unknown forgotten forest where beauty and beast unite. A memorable song, with compelling lyrics and a keen sense of melody. Truly a spellbinding album and unique, certainly something that strays from the normal path. "You make me happy", guys good job best wishes for the future.

  • pleasantly obscure
    author: Julia

    This album cannot be given a stereotype of one specific genre...well, not without doing it a disservice. It contains substance that is very dark, and full of emotion. It is not so dark as to make you want to kill yourself, but enough to make it stand out. Like a rainy day with a milky-gray sky. It's beautiful....the voice is powerful and audible (unlike some bands...this contains no yelling). All of the music is in nsync but each runs away with its own personal story......

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