Album Review: Metamorphosis

Samuel Keen is a Christchurch based singer/songwriter that has been on the scene for a few years now, creating a musical path that is solely his own.

With his fingers in all the pies, he is also part of Christchurch bands, The Snake Behaviour and Hecates Cult that lies somewhere between hard rock and heavy metal.

Metamorphosis is Samuel’s second solo album, and its twelves tracks produce an emerging sound that has plenty of potential, with room to fine tune and explore the rich avenues of rock and metal which Samuel appears no stranger to.

Much is to be said for the obvious diligence in this album and there is a cathartic approach to Samuel’s approach to lyricism. Lyrically, there is depth that begins to emerge and musically, there is a fairly solid arrangement which is impressive as a one-man band status (with the exception of Morgan Galloway on track 12, the title track, Metamorphosis)

Opening track, Embryonic, even as an opening instrumental prelude has a solid opening riffs, strong drumming and paves the way for what is to come.

What it paves the way for next is Beyond The Grey which is a solid metal progression that has driving riffs, strong vocals (and backing vocals) that don’t necessarily have any prescribed inflection vocally, but it doesn’t need to because its delivery is strong. The drums are big, intentional, and fit great.

Another stand out is Penance, and Samuel’s vocal style here is great. He has at times a gravelly lower pitch and seems to feel really natural for him.

Moving further in, at times the remaining tracks appear to lose some direction musically and vocally feel more exploratory that definitive, but as a whole there is still solid musicianship here, and Samuel should be proud of this body of work.