II
Review Score: 9
Reviewed By: Jason Deaville
Formed in 2019 by former Savatage and Circle II Circle frontman, Zak Stevens, and guitarist Aldo Lonobile from the Italian power metal band, Secret Sphere, Archon Angel has quickly established a reputation as one the most exciting acts in progressive metal. Having worked together on Zak’s solo album, Circle of the Seven Serpents, it was immediately telling that the two musicians shared a musical vision that they wished to explore further with Archon Angel.
The band’s name was inspired by the concept of archangels in Judeo-Christian theology. The band took this theological idea and incorporated it into their music using creative expression with complex arrangements, heavy riffs, and soaring vocals that explore the multi-faceted spectrum of heavy metal and progressive rock. This culminated in Archon Angel‘s debut album, Fallen, which was released in 2021 to overwhelming critical praise. The album featured guest appearances from notable musicians such as Jeff Plate (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Savatage) and Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Ring Of Fire).
Wasting no time, the band’s most recent album, II, further establishes Archon Angel‘s reputation as one of the most exciting new acts to emerge on the progressive metal scene in quite some time. The guys explore a wide range of genres that again includes progressive rock and traditional heavy metal, and everything in between.
The superb production quality of this record immediately leaps out. The sophisticated instrumentation and vocals are delivered with a clarity, strength, and a crispness you would expect with musicianship of this caliber. In fact, this thing is so clean and concise, that the individual skills of each band member are highlighted in equal fashion, with no one instrument being the star of the show. As such, the band have forged a seamless and captivating musical journey, showcasing the group’s chemistry and expertise in the process.
The album highlight comes in the form of ‘Fortress’, showcasing a ridiculously powerful rhythm and one of the most memorable riffs I’ve heard from a band of this ilk. Arguably, it also features perhaps one of the best progressive metal guitar solos I’ve heard in a very long time. The grandiose and atmospheric ‘Lake of Fire’ and ‘Afterburn’ demonstrate the band’s innate ability at crafting engrossing and theatrical soundscapes that catapult the listener to fantastical, sprawling, mythical realms.
Overall, II is a fantastic sophomore album that effortlessly displays Archon Angel‘s extraordinary compositional ability. It exudes a synergy from every single note that is palpable and incredibly infectious. In fact, you’ll likely find yourself subconsciously humming riffs days, even weeks later. Highly recommended.