Ethernity: The Human Race Extinction (AFM)

Belgian progressive/power metal band Ethernity make their AFM label debut this year with The Human Race Extinction. The band has been around for more than a decade and has a pair of independently released full-length albums out, but this album is likely to be their introduction to the metal world at large. To that end, the band enlisted Simone Mularoni (DGM) to mix and master the album.

As far as their overall sound, Ethernity play progressive-influenced power metal with plenty of crunch and, at least with this album, a dystopian fixation. Not unlike the last Pyramaze album, though Ethernity has a female vocalist, so there’s an obvious difference. Well, they did anyway. Apparently singer Julie Colin left the band just as this album was released, which is a shame. Her style is powerful and steady, and decidedly not operatic. Factor that in and The Human Race Extinction is in the same company as recent releases by MindMaze and Triosphere. That’s not a bad place to be.

The Human Race Extinction is a concept album with plenty of dystopian/sci-fi/resist the technological invaders themes that suit this kind of technically-inclined power metal quite well. Beyond the storyline and general dystopian atmosphere, the album boasts some very impressive guitar work, well-placed keyboards, excellent production and a very strong, very expressive vocal performance. “Mechanical Life,” “Beyond Dread” and “Rise of Droids” are highlights, but given the concept here you really need to experience The Human Race Extinction as a whole album.

Hopefully the loss of their singer won’t derail Ethernity’s momentum, because with The Human Race Extinction they’ve released an album that should really put this band on progressive/power metal fans’ radar in a big way. It’s just really well-executed album that fans of Pyramaze, Triosphere, Pagan’s Mind, MindMaze and Helion Prime should really enjoy.