Mimesis – Debut
Mimesis is a Massachusetts – based metal progressive band who released their debut, self-titled album December 9, 2019. The band is made up of: Görebläster, (Will Lunden), on guitars, synthesizer and programming; Jen Janet, on lead vocals; Kilian Duarte, on bass guitar; and Anthony Lusk-Simone, on drums and synthesizer programming.
The band is made up of former members of Scale the Summit, Abiotic, The Beast of Nod, and Pathogenic. Jen Janet was nominated for a New England music award, and best female vocalist in Rhode Island’s Motif Magazine music awards. This debut album also includes guest harp from Haydee Irizarry on the band’s first single: “CTRLALTDEL”.
The album opens with “The Chariot”, full of creative guitar and orchestration. But it is Jen Janet’s voice that captures your immediate attention. She sings, “I’ve been around the world. I’ve read a thousand words. Nothing strikes me now. Can’t put the apple back on the tree. Once I’ve seen it all, I can’t unsee”. Then, “A religious being. So holy and pristine. Maybe the holy land isn’t a place. But a space inside your head”. Deep lyrics, with heart pumping drums, bass and lead electric guitars keeping pace. Amazing start.
Later she sings, “Down in the desert I can hear my silence screaming. I’ll let my spirit soar over the sands of the Sahara. I caught the sunrise at Angkor”. She is telepathing many wonders of the world with her voice and it is indeed inspiring. Her voice is soft, but direct. Not shrill or piercing. She sings, “Is it a lust for life?” I think so. The power of the music is astonishing for a band so new, but of course this band is made up of all-stars.
The band has announced that they have completed filming the second video for the album and it will be this song, filmed in the Mohave Desert in Nevada . Should be a great video. I will be anticipating it. Off to a great start.
“CTRLALTDEL’ is the first single off the album and includes a creative You Tube video that must be witnessed. The musicianship on this track is some of the best on the album, and the best I have heard in this new year. No wonder it is the first single.
The video also has a Tron/1984 theme, combined with modern game lore and points achievement that will make it an instant favorite with multi-generations. The interplay between the drums and the bass/electric guitars, with the fast, stop and start, time signatures, is both original and inspiring. Power gripped and unleashed.
On top of that cool guitar and drum work lies Jen Janet’s soaring and intermittent vocals. She fills in the space between the notes so perfectly. Jen sings, “There’s no backspace key for the words that I speak. Another language on repeat, I view you through your silver screen. There is no escape key for the things that I see. All I know is on HD. I make the same mistakes, I feel automated. I wanna write the world on my skin. So, I can be sure it’s the real one I’m living in. What does it mean to be, human? I think there’s a virus, deep inside us”. Masterful musicianship matched with unrivalled vocal delivery. One of the best songs I have heard this year. Watch the video.
But wait…there is more…”The Mirror” is an epic story. And it opens with deep, ethereal and ghostly vocals from Jen Janet. On this track she is the show…at the opening. But the musicianship is stellar. Then Jen sings, “A mirror image. If I bend the light. Will I reflect, will I gain insight? Into the very soul, that I’m afraid is mine”. The combative drums answer, with full power bass and electric guitars following. Later she sings, “If I smash the glass, can I paint my own portrait?” The orchestration is inventive and perfectly encompasses her voice.
“Gravity”, opens with more of that cool high-speed guitar and bass along
with thundering drums, Then Janet’s vocals, “I wish you could see who I really
am.
Give me purpose, so worthless. Gravity, I feel it in me.
I am the moon, and you are the tide. Water turns to vapor. Boiling consuming changing. I feel
the heat, I feel, I feel you”. Great musicianship. Later Janet sings, “Now
we connect, join in our gravity”.
“Metamorphosis”, is the closer and longest track on the album. It is an
epic closer full of many surprises. It opens casually with synthesizer and cool
programming, coupled with great bass, innovative electric guitar, and awesome
drums. After all this cool technology and sound you add the cream, Jen Janet’s
vocals, “What once was weak, has reached its peak”. Yes, indeed. She
sings, “I am the butterfly. Clip these wings, so many have tried.
I’ll keep a weather eye.
I’m not afraid to look to the sky. Well I’m not
satisfied. Living a simple, easy lie. I’m not satisfied. With
the simple life”. Later she sings, “The rise of one, the lowliest of
pawns. Into a queen, the most powerful piece”. Yes, and despite
the awesome musicianship on this album it is Jen Janet’s voice that is the most
important instrument in this band’s arsenal. She needs a bigger stage and I hope
this band will win it.
One of the best albums of 2019, that I did not hear until 2020. Please get this album and enjoy every minute of its power and brevity. Despite only five songs, there is nothing missing in this debut. I am sure I will see this album on my list of favorites for 2020, despite its release in 2019. Dynamic music matched with a voice that would make any band sound great!
Track List
- The Chariot – 5:14
- CTRLALTDEL – 6:02
- The Mirror – 5:24
- Gravity – 4:54
- Metamorphosis
– 6:21
https://www.instagram.com/mimesisprog/
https://mimesisprog.bandcamp.com/releases