| Musical Style: Power/Progressive Metal | Produced By: Sean Perry |
| Record Label: Nightmare | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2001 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 8 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 54:40 |
When we first listened to Antithesis, it raised a vexing question: is it a power, progressive or thrash metal band? Answer: Yes! In other words, it proves problematic pigeonholing the group in terms of a specific style when factoring its multifarious and genre crossing sound. Essentially, add a dash of technically sophisticated and time signature predicated songwriting with a pinch of aggressive riffing and high energy acumen but topped by speed based overtures and complex melodies. All things added up it equates to the Antithesis 2001 Nightmare Records sophomore album Dying For Life.
Lyrically, the goal of the Cleveland, Ohio based band of believers (as noted by bassist James Lewis) ‘is to cover anything that is within the moral and ethical realm which often ends up having Christian themes (but) generally we try to keep things positive with a message and provoking some thought by the listener.’1 Lewis goes on to state, ‘Many of the songs extrapolate from the teachings of Christ and present them in such a way that people can relate them to their own lives. We are not evangelists by any means.’2 He offers further detail behind the Dying For Life title: ‘(It) is not about Jesus directly, as it is more of a conceptual representation that in order to obtain eternal life, people must die. The inference could be made that besides death, one must also have faith and therefore know Christ.’2
The European version to Dying For Life released the same year via Massacre Records features different (darker) cover art in line with that of the Euro power metal scene of the time in addition to an altered track listing and bonus material in form of two songs off the Antithesis 1998 self-titled debut, “Netherworld” and “Secret Fires”. It was also supposedly remixed but when listened alongside, I cannot tell either version apart.
Opener "Soul Of Ice" is one of albums shortest at five and half minutes. It reflects the Antithesis power metal side, predicated on sonorous double kick drum and dagger like temper but also ingrained as a nuanced melody coaxes with intrinsic play. All the while versatile (and quite talented) front man Ty Cook shines with a rumbling middle-register delivery but proves capable of hitting a high note or reach down for an extreme growl.
“Consequence” follows in similar form at five minutes. Subsequent to Paul Kostyack’s opening drum solo, song lambasts its span at a heightened tempo skirting speed-based territory but also decelerates to contentious moments reaching for thrash-induced fury. Sean Perry and Paul Konjicija standout with their electrifying duel guitar leads.
“Deceiver Within” represents albums most accessible. What we have is a moody song with a swarthy edge, issuing to an orchestral bass underpinning and feathery guitar only to blast forth at moments notice as unhesitating rhythm guitar plunders in to build upon the unsettled tone. The teeming melody that rises to the surface borders on the commercial- I am surprised “Deceiver Within” did not garner significant turn of the century radio play. Lyric snippet:
I know you better than you think
I know a lot about your past
And why you wear a mask
You may deceive with your disguise
And you may buy yourself some time
Until the end of time
You thought I might forget
Vanish without a trace
Just when you least expect then I will show my face
“Distanced” ensues in touching upon the Antithesis progressive side. Song effortlessly flows from the get go as melodic guitars cover its opening instrumental two minutes, with remaining four arduously driven as rumbling riffs and elevated momentum collide in a seething storm of thrash laden intensity. Recurrent moments decelerating to a doom-like rumble give prominence to a sterner warning.
On eight and half minute “Times Of Trial” Antithesis takes the progressiveness to elevated levels. The technical proficiency is off the charts, uncovered in the calm instrumental acoustic opening that carries over to the reticent initial verse sections but also the detonating guitar imbuing those that follow. An unaffected genuflecting, however, washes over the melodically inclined refrain. Instrumentally, song touches upon some thrash like incentive alongside combative duel lead guitar. Back to acoustic guitar and then heavier and we are off again. Lyric snippet:
In this life you will find
Tests and trials and despair
If your faith is strong
you'll know where to cast your cares
From the lessons learned and the bridges I have burned
I have found but one true friend
Who will stand by me through times of complexity
And help me through the times of trial
I am here with you in spirit
I will never leave your side
I'll be right here if you need me
Take my hand and walk with me
Antithesis delivers a galloping Maiden-like flair on “Mad Poet”. Song proves sternly woven with a portent mid-paced tilting, revealed in harshly woven lower register vocals and borderline doom like trudging guitar and shiftless bass. Despite the malevolent underpinning, an accessible side also reveals in periodic acoustic guitar to build upon the resonant melody. Further magnifying each element is excellent production of a crystalline variety- one cannot help notice how each instrumental cleanly separates in the mix.
Seven minute “Politicide” is another progressive predicated piece. The lengthy instrumental run to start sees haunting keyboards and bleak low-end give way to left to right channel guitar- at that point, we are off as power metal and thrash through rhythms propel through heady verse sections. The intricately layered refrain pushes aggression to the next level with its impactful ‘the more we take control, the less free we become’ phrasing. Final seconds descend into old school thrash style riffs and aggressive growls. Lyric snippet:
Election day is judgement day
See the candidate telling two-faced lies–elected he betrays our trust
We fall prey to a wolf in sheep's disguise
Special interests, bureaucrats let their money talk
Practice what they preach
Another crooked candidate wins another vote
Takes another seat
In God we trust with every cent
God can't approve how it is spent
Album closes to its superlative nine-minute title track. “Dying For Life” presents with so many time and tempo changes to be jaw dropping: classical guitar instrumental opening, near speed-based proclivity to follow, backbone of galloping passages of a power metal nature and manifold instrumental excursions. A subtle but persuasive melody all the same allows song to remain fresh despite the lengthy technical span. Dream Theater and Theocracy could not do it any better. Lyric snippet:
With broken heart and broken mind
I took my life before its time
For one must die to rest in peace
I tried to put my mind at ease
I never thought my suffering would last for all eternity
The soul lives on beyond this life will you ascend into the light
Or be consumed by nothingness
Or cast into the black
A paradise awaits the saved the promise kept to thee of faith
Lived by the word, receive the Son
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
Deliverance, divine wings of rapture rejoice
Dying For Life equates to a technical marvel of a power metal meets progressive metal meets thrash metal album. Yes, a LOT going on musically, but Antithesis brings the high-level musical acumen to pull it off whether intricately woven lengthy numbers or those more concise and compact. Musicianship is off the charts, which further shines from the immaculate production. Good news is that the album is not difficult to find in either version, although a reissue with updated re-mastering and any bonus material (demo cuts, live tracks, etc) would be welcome.
Review by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: "Soul Of Ice" (5:35), "Consequence" (5:15), "Deceiver Within" (4:51), "Distanced" (6:10), "Times Of Trial" (8:26), "Mad Poet" (6:21), "Politicide" (7:38), "Dying For Life" (9:12)
Musicians
Ty Cook - Lead Vocals
Sean Perry - Guitars
Paul Konjicija - Guitars
James Lewis - Bass
Paul Kostyack - Drums
Reference List
1. “Antithesis - Interview”. Retrieved: July 31, 2025
2. “Antithesis - Hello Cleveland”. Retrieved: July 31, 2025
