Evolution: Creatio Ex Nihilio
Encyclopedia
Evolution: Creatio Ex Nihilio is the first full length album by Enochian Theory
and was released initially via their own independent label on August 3, 2009. The album received its worldwide major label release via Mascot records on September 27, 2010.
To accommodate the short time frame, the songwriting process differed from that of their previous releases, with the vocalist composing all the music and main structures. Using specific music software packages and MIDI sequencing and samples to recreate a full band performance, Ben could see how sections flowed and how they would sound with a full band playing the songs.
The band would then work on these songs together, when they practiced three times a week at their 'Pyres Of Mithrandire' studio and rehearsal space. Once they were sure that the songs would work as a three piece band, Ben then started working with 'The Lost Orchestra' to compose and perform the albums orchestral pieces.
With thirteen tracks written and ready to take in to the studio, pre production for the new recording began at the beginning of July.
release. The guitars, bass and vocals were recorded with Josh Eaves and Ross Gill at Rossgill Studios in the city and the orchestral arrangements and recording, completed at Ben's home 'Etherial Tantrum' studio.
Recording of the album was completed on October 12, 2008.
The finished recording was then mixed and mastered in Sweden by David Castillo, who had co-produced the Katatonia
record 'The Great Cold Distance' on the Peaceville label as well as mixing the Opeth
record ‘Watershed’ on the Roadrunner records
label.
It was mixed in Castillo’s recently completed new state of the art recording facility ‘Ghostward’ and had the honor of being the first project worked on there.
The artwork for the album was conceived and realized by Swedish artist Robin Portnoff, who had been introduced to the band by David Castillo.
Although the album was not due to be released until August 2009, pre release copies started to make waves in the industry with the organisers of the ProgPower Europe
festival booking them to appear at the 2009 event. Blabbermouth.net
quoted festival organisers who said "probably hardly anyone has ever heard of this band, but that will definitely change when they will release their new album in August 2009.” and also “ENOCHIAN THEORY definitely will surprise many of you."
Distribution for the bands independently released CD and downloads were once again handled by CODE 7/Plastic Head Distribution with the band keen to build on the working relationship that began with their 'A Monument To The Death Of An Idea' and 'Namyamka' releases.
In the build up to its independent release, tracks from the new album have received rotation on Kerrang radio and Bruce Dickinson
's BBC 6 Music
rock show.
, Classic Rock Magazine
, Terrorizer (magazine), Zero Tolerance Magazine
, Rock Sound
, the German and Greek editions of Rock Hard
, Powerplay rock and metal magazine, Big Cheese (magazine)
, Spanish magazine 'This Is Rock', Italian magazine 'Metal Maniac, Norwegian magazine 'Helvete', Finnish magazine 'Inferno' and Romanian rock and metal magazine 'Maximum Rock'.
The album has also been reviewed on nearly 100 websites and webzines across Europe with extermely positive results. Some of the review quotes for the cd included
"Outstanding... Awesome...and Brilliant"
"One of the most interesting progressive rock releases of the year..."
"Enochian Theory have created a mammoth of an album. Filled with monumental landscapes, soaring melodies and a strangely hypnotic quality, this is truly an album that you can get lost in."
"One of the best debut albums I've ever heard..."
"Massive, beautiful, dimmed, moody, provocative and touching..."
"Very interesting music.... The music has a perfect contrast between slow cold like ice melodies, spontaneous like fits of anger and incredible walls of massive metal sound...It’s a unique masterpiece of metal music..."
"Enochian Theory is the next big thing in the sky of progressive music...Very bold, fascinating chunks of art, real art...Innovative in the literal sense, dramatic, chaotic, harmonic and moving. 11 out of 10 points given to describe how much I love this album..."
Total running time 48:59
Enochian Theory
Enochian Theory is a rock/metal/progressive rock band, formed in 2004 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, United Kingdom. The original lineup of the band consisted of drummer Sam Street, bass guitarist Shaun Rayment, guitarist Scott Ware, and singer/guitarist/keyboard player Ben Harris Hayes.-Formation:The...
and was released initially via their own independent label on August 3, 2009. The album received its worldwide major label release via Mascot records on September 27, 2010.
Conception
Due to outside issues and influences the band needed to write and record a new album in a very short space of time. As a result vocalist/songwriter Ben Harris-Hayes began writing new in January 2008 and would continue to write through March, until the band was sure they had enough material to proceed.To accommodate the short time frame, the songwriting process differed from that of their previous releases, with the vocalist composing all the music and main structures. Using specific music software packages and MIDI sequencing and samples to recreate a full band performance, Ben could see how sections flowed and how they would sound with a full band playing the songs.
The band would then work on these songs together, when they practiced three times a week at their 'Pyres Of Mithrandire' studio and rehearsal space. Once they were sure that the songs would work as a three piece band, Ben then started working with 'The Lost Orchestra' to compose and perform the albums orchestral pieces.
With thirteen tracks written and ready to take in to the studio, pre production for the new recording began at the beginning of July.
Recording
The drums were recorded at The Old Blacksmiths Studio in Portsmouth with the band again working with Emmy nominated engineer Rich Tamblyn, who had co-produced the bands A Monument to the Death of an IdeaA Monument to the Death of an Idea
A Monument to the Death of an Idea is an EP by the band Enochian Theory.-History:In June 2006, Enochian Theory entered The Old Blacksmiths studios in Portsmouth with Emmy nominated producer and engineer Rich Tamblyn and began to record the tracks for their second record, entitled A Monument to the...
release. The guitars, bass and vocals were recorded with Josh Eaves and Ross Gill at Rossgill Studios in the city and the orchestral arrangements and recording, completed at Ben's home 'Etherial Tantrum' studio.
Recording of the album was completed on October 12, 2008.
The finished recording was then mixed and mastered in Sweden by David Castillo, who had co-produced the Katatonia
Katatonia
Katatonia is a Swedish metal band formed in Stockholm in 1991 by Jonas Renkse and Anders Nyström .-1991-1993:The early Katatonia releases, such as the EP Jhva Elohim Meth.....
record 'The Great Cold Distance' on the Peaceville label as well as mixing the Opeth
Opeth
Opeth is a Swedish heavy metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990. Though the group has been through several personnel changes, singer, guitarist, and songwriter Mikael Åkerfeldt has remained Opeth's driving force throughout the years...
record ‘Watershed’ on the Roadrunner records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
label.
It was mixed in Castillo’s recently completed new state of the art recording facility ‘Ghostward’ and had the honor of being the first project worked on there.
The artwork for the album was conceived and realized by Swedish artist Robin Portnoff, who had been introduced to the band by David Castillo.
Pre release
In May 2009, the band placed three of the new tracks on their website and myspace page. Fans were able to hear complete versions of 'Apathia', 'Movement' and 'Waves of Ascension'.Although the album was not due to be released until August 2009, pre release copies started to make waves in the industry with the organisers of the ProgPower Europe
ProgPower Europe
ProgPower Europe is a progressive and power metal festival held annually in the Netherlands since 1999. The last edition, the 13th, was held at Sjiwa in Baarlo on September 30 – October 2, 2011...
festival booking them to appear at the 2009 event. Blabbermouth.net
Blabbermouth.net
Blabbermouth.net is a website dedicated to heavy metal and hard rock news, as well as album and music DVD reviews. Blabbermouth.net was founded and is run by Borivoj Krgin. The first version of the website was officially launched in March 2001...
quoted festival organisers who said "probably hardly anyone has ever heard of this band, but that will definitely change when they will release their new album in August 2009.” and also “ENOCHIAN THEORY definitely will surprise many of you."
Distribution for the bands independently released CD and downloads were once again handled by CODE 7/Plastic Head Distribution with the band keen to build on the working relationship that began with their 'A Monument To The Death Of An Idea' and 'Namyamka' releases.
In the build up to its independent release, tracks from the new album have received rotation on Kerrang radio and Bruce Dickinson
Bruce Dickinson
Paul Bruce Dickinson is an English singer, songwriter, airline pilot, fencer, broadcaster, author, screenwriter, actor and marketing director, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden....
's BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music is one of the BBC's digital radio stations, was launched on 11 March 2002 and originally codenamed Network Y. It was the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years....
rock show.
Release and reception
The album was released through the bands own independent Anomalousz Music Records label on 3 August 2009 and press coverage followed with wide press coverage in music publications across Europe including the English, German and Polish editions of Metal HammerMetal Hammer
Metal Hammer is a monthly heavy metal music magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and in several other countries by different publishers. Metal Hammer articles feature both mainstream bands and more unusual acts from the whole spectrum of heavy metal music...
, Classic Rock Magazine
Classic Rock (magazine)
Classic Rock is a British magazine dedicated to the radio format of classic rock, published by Future Publishing, who are also responsible for its "sister" publication Metal Hammer. Although firmly focusing on key bands from the 1960s through early 1990s, it also includes articles and reviews of...
, Terrorizer (magazine), Zero Tolerance Magazine
Zero Tolerance Magazine
Zero Tolerance Magazine is an extreme music magazine published by Obdurate Ltd. in the United Kingdom. Published bi-monthly, it can be found on newsstands in the UK, Europe and North America - and is available on newsstands in Australia and specialist retailers in New Zealand and Taiwan...
, Rock Sound
Rock Sound
Rock Sound is a British magazine which champions rock music. The magazine aims at being more "underground" and less commercial, whilst also giving coverage to more well known acts.-History:...
, the German and Greek editions of Rock Hard
Rock Hard
Rock Hard is an EP by the Beastie Boys, released by Def Jam Records on 12" in 1985. The song, and the accompanying songs on the 12", feature the band's debut rap effort....
, Powerplay rock and metal magazine, Big Cheese (magazine)
Big Cheese (magazine)
Big Cheese is an independent British magazine which covers alternative music including rock, punk, and metal amongst others. It is circulated monthly.-Features:...
, Spanish magazine 'This Is Rock', Italian magazine 'Metal Maniac, Norwegian magazine 'Helvete', Finnish magazine 'Inferno' and Romanian rock and metal magazine 'Maximum Rock'.
- Metal HammerMetal HammerMetal Hammer is a monthly heavy metal music magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and in several other countries by different publishers. Metal Hammer articles feature both mainstream bands and more unusual acts from the whole spectrum of heavy metal music...
- called the cd "Cryptic but captivating prog-metal" and said "...Enochian Theory have woven a remarkable tapestry" defining their music as "...Tool-esque obliqueness and sweeping symphonic statements"
- Classic Rock MagazineClassic Rock (magazine)Classic Rock is a British magazine dedicated to the radio format of classic rock, published by Future Publishing, who are also responsible for its "sister" publication Metal Hammer. Although firmly focusing on key bands from the 1960s through early 1990s, it also includes articles and reviews of...
- called the cd "...a wonderfully balanced album that is as intense as it is relenting" and stated "the south coast trio have the exceptional ability to carve out their own niche – they just need to be given the chance. "
- Terrorizer (magazine) - said in their review "A bracing change from Brit metal bandwagon chasers, this intrepid trio are strapped into seats on the prog mothership, with a long and beguiling journey ahead of them...think brave , inventive and eccentric: this is an absorbing debut from a band that don’t even know where the box is, let alone why anyone would think inside it."
- Zero Tolerance MagazineZero Tolerance MagazineZero Tolerance Magazine is an extreme music magazine published by Obdurate Ltd. in the United Kingdom. Published bi-monthly, it can be found on newsstands in the UK, Europe and North America - and is available on newsstands in Australia and specialist retailers in New Zealand and Taiwan...
- called the album "an intriguing, multi layered slab of British prog that lilts between Marillion-esque passages before lurching into moments of crushing aggression ala Katatonia whilst retaining a flair for the eccentric and the unpredictable" and "Musically brilliant and ever evolving, Evolution is fine album that, just like its creators, deserves the attention of any self-respecting prog-lover"
- Powerplay Magazine - commented in their review "The wait has been worthwhile as it’s another exciting set of songs that should see these guys take another massive step up the rock and metal ladder. It is a very well crafted and executed set of songs. With impressive and varied guitar work throughout, this is an album that makes you want to lift that ‘axe’ yourself and have a go yourself… A great album"
- Big Cheese (magazine)Big Cheese (magazine)Big Cheese is an independent British magazine which covers alternative music including rock, punk, and metal amongst others. It is circulated monthly.-Features:...
- said in their review "When they do decide to rock the hell out, they’re actually pretty bloody good, with juddering riffs and harsh vocal that pepper the likes of ‘At Great Odds With…’ and ‘A Monument To The Death Of An Idea’ sounding damn impressive. Packed full of potential, Enochian Theory’s skills are rapidly catching up to their ambitions."
The album has also been reviewed on nearly 100 websites and webzines across Europe with extermely positive results. Some of the review quotes for the cd included
- Burn Your Ears German webzine – 10/10
"Outstanding... Awesome...and Brilliant"
- Metalmundus Polish Webzine – 9.5 / 10
"One of the most interesting progressive rock releases of the year..."
- Louciferspeaks U.K Webzine – 9.7 / 10
"Enochian Theory have created a mammoth of an album. Filled with monumental landscapes, soaring melodies and a strangely hypnotic quality, this is truly an album that you can get lost in."
- Archaic Magazine Belgian Webzine
"One of the best debut albums I've ever heard..."
- Metal Norge Norwegian Webzine – 9/10
"Massive, beautiful, dimmed, moody, provocative and touching..."
- Deadwebzine Ukrainian Webzine – 10/10
"Very interesting music.... The music has a perfect contrast between slow cold like ice melodies, spontaneous like fits of anger and incredible walls of massive metal sound...It’s a unique masterpiece of metal music..."
- Squealer-rocks German webzine – 11 / 10
"Enochian Theory is the next big thing in the sky of progressive music...Very bold, fascinating chunks of art, real art...Innovative in the literal sense, dramatic, chaotic, harmonic and moving. 11 out of 10 points given to describe how much I love this album..."
Worldwide rerelease through Mascot records
On April 29, 2010, the band released a press release via the musical press and their official website saying they had signed a deal with Mascot records. As part of this deal the album was rereleased worldwide through the label on September 27th of that year.'The Fire Around The Lotus' video shoot
Towards the end of 2010, the band began shooting a completely animated video for their song 'A Fire Around The Lotus' which will be released online..Track listing
All music written by Enochian Theory, lyrics by Harris-Hayes- Every Ending Has A Beginning… 1:08
- The Dimensionless Monologue:
- Tedium (i) 2:20
- The Dimensionless Monologue (ii) 2:59
- T.D.M (iii) 1:36
- At Great Odds With… 5:07
- Apathia 3:58
- Triumvirate 2:35
- Movement 5:14
- After The Movement 2:53
- Waves Of Ascension 6:57
- The Fire Around The Lotus 7:15
- The Living Continuum 2:22
- A Monument To The Death Of An Idea 4:36
Total running time 48:59
Personnel
- Ben Harris Hayes – Vocals and Guitar
- Shaun Rayment - Bass guitar
- Sam Street - Drums and percussion
- The Lost Orchestra - Pianos, Synthesizers, Extra sounds and Orchestral performance