Point Of Ares - Enemy Glory Reviews

Reviews - Enemy Glory

"Four stars. . . . Brazen music backs up authoritative vocals for a truly memorable listening experience. The lyrics are fresh and poignant, rendered in a tone of driving urgency. In contrast, the several spoken-word tracks are soft, clear, and possessed of devastating imagery. . . . outstanding . . . with maximum interest for fans of fantasy literature and/or rock music. Most highly recommended."
--Elizabeth Barrette, Spicy Green Iguana, February 1999

". . .worthy of investigation."
--Peter Thelan, Exposé, Issue 16, December 1998

"Point Of Ares impresses with a CD that displays a variety of moods and musical genres with flair and good taste. . . . The band prefers a rare, but stylish approach that relies on interesting effects and note choice. Exceptional work with alluring vocals, the intriguing tunes provide the foundation to one eclectic release. Satisfying and tasty, one refreshing CD guaranteed to please!"
--Barry Metz, Island Gazette, October 14, 1998

"Spells and incantations! I can just picture Karen Michalson on a windswept oceanside cliff at midnight in flowing black robes, lightning cracking overhead, as she chants to the heavens from an ancient text of black magic. This is an unusual album. Lyrically, it's of the fantasy/swords and sorcery/pagan persuasion, with Michalson half-speaking, half-singing amidst semi-metallic guitars, drums and atmospheric keys. Michalson is a writer/poet who passionately conjures alluring imagery on the two unaccompanied spoken-word pieces, 'Track' and 'Trackless.' Elsewhere, her arcanely understated vocal delivery - a mixture of singing, speaking and whispering - is . . . . in keeping with the mystery and romance of Michalson's dungeons-and-dragons themes. . . .One thing is certain - for Point Of Ares, fantasy is reality."
--John Collinge, Progression, Issue 28, Summer/Fall 1998

"With a progressive and cutting dark-rock, where the lyrics are based on strange stories, Point Of Ares is a North American band with great impact, at the other side of the Atlantic. . . .The band's lyrics travel through an obscure and progressive rock, with themes that are hallucinating for the imagination. It is about dark fantasy and dangerous dreams. . . . The work mixes musical fantasy with the creations of the fantastic profiled by Karen Michalson. . . .In Enemy Glory, one can find structured themes and guitars that exploit progressive rock, while at the same time maintaining the energizing tones of the rock of the 90s. . . . the most obscure and powerful face of progressive rock."
--Luis Martins, The Gates of Ur, No. 3, August 1998 (translated from the Portuguese by Nina Tjoa)

"Karen is narrating/singing this strange, magical, dark fantasy tale about a young student of magic that embraces evil, accompanied by rock 'n' roll. . . . I think the spoken word pieces 'Track' and 'Trackless' are two of the best tracks on this CD. . . .If you're into fantasy tales, Lord of the Rings, role-playing, or Dungeons and Dragons, this might be a good CD to put on as a soundtrack when reading/playing."
--Greger Ronnqvist, Prog-Net, July 4, 1998

"Keep rockin' girl . . . I did get the CD and it's very cool. Actually, our bass player took it from me and I haven't gotten it back from her yet!"
--Kristen Henderson, Antigone Rising, June 3, 1998

"You really will probably never hear another band that sounds like this. Taking art rock influences and a very strong literary basis, Point Of Ares adds in elements typically not seen in this genre of music. . . .'North Country' [is] quite an intriguing brief piece. . . . 'Sunnashiven' is actually a rather infectious tune. . . . 'Games' [has] a lot of magical moments. . . . [On] 'Last Day' the main melody here is really quite haunting. This is definitely a good track."
--Gary Hill, Music Street Journal, Issue 5, June 1998

"Musically, Point Of Ares center on a progressive rock style with an added essence reminiscent of a dark, almost gothic style. Vocalist Karen Michalson doesn't so much sing as she does chant and it works superbly for their style of light, melodic prog rock. Spoken word and chants fit in beautifully under the storytelling guise of the music. With excellent guitar riffs trailing throughout the CD, guitarist Bill Michalson brings a touch of heaviness and a dark edge to the music. . . . While not quite heavy and not quite light, Point Of Ares manage to write songs in that progressive rock style which easily glides from song to song in a sleek and professional way. . . . Point Of Ares [is] well on their way to carving a name for themselves in the halls of concept rock."
--Independent Distribution Network, Summer 1998

"My two favorite tracks on this are the two spoken word tracks. The lead singer has such a beautiful voice . . . .Overall, this CD is worth a listen."
--Scott Heisel, A Different Kind of Greatness, No. 3, Spring 1998

"This month we decide to pay homage to one of the world's coolest independent bands. From Boston, Massachusetts in the good ol' New England states come the prog rock sensations, Point Of Ares. Have you ever been to a Renaissance festival? The jousting, the knights in shining armor, the swords, the music? Picture yourself in a storybook full of magic, dragons, knights and fair maidens. But don't get me wrong. This ain't no puff the magic dragon kiddy music. Hell no! This is hard kick ass prog rock, built by the knights (and mistress) of rock, Point Of Ares. All three together combine the stories and the adrenaline rock to capture the mind and ears and blow you away like a freight train.

The music is a full array of dark vocals, guitars, drums and lyrics that get your mind into the magic of rock.

Here in your country your eyes are
Like the veil that hides them well
And your veil hides your smile
The way I imagine -- it ought to be hidden.
- "Ghost in the Flesh"

Now if that's not art, I don't know what the hell is. . . . This music is worth the money, because you've never heard a band who cared so much about exploring the imagination through music. . . be prepared for a new release this year. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH that oughta 'KICK ASS', as Cartman would say!"
--Robert Baker, The Blue Room, February 27, 1998

"Karen has a bard's gift for turning a phrase and painting an intriguing (albeit occasionally warped) picture in the listener's mind. . . . if you crave moody, narrative rock, it's well worth the effort."
--Scott Martin, Pagan Rock on the Web, January 12, 1998

"There's nothing contrived about this album - nothing at all. It's real rock-n-roll and sometimes laced with separate audio tracks of insightful short poetry. The lead vocals are reminiscent of Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders and has that same sweet whispery and sensual effect. What makes this album very special is the literary craft in the lyrical writing and the dark fantasy images that are portrayed. When you buy this album, expect to revel in sonic magic and the tapestry of legends."
-- Tony MacFarland (T2), Grace Overthrone, December 1997

"Do you believe in magic? Point Of Ares does. This power trio from the US, led by bassist-vocalist Karen Michalson, plays progressive rock with dark fantasy, creating hallucinatory songs like dangerous sonic dreams exploding out of Karen's literary exploits."
--Rene Janssen, The Real Sound (Progressive Rock Scene Newspaper), November 14, 1997

"Be sure to check this band out, its synthesis of storytelling and progressive rock is vibrant and captivating, stirring the imagination while moving the body."
-- Tate Bengston, Chaotic Critiques, Issue 8, Fall 1997

". . .magic and intensity . . . rhythmic power . . . masterful and inspired playing . . . after seeing this trio in action, it’s not hard to understand why The Worcester Phoenix voted them "Best New Artist" of 1997. . . . Their playing is solid, their lyrics imaginative and their sound compelling. This is definitely a band to watch for the future. . . .Check out this album and go see this band. You won’t be disappointed."
-- Pam W, Horns and Crescent, Lughnasadh 1997

"If Jethro Tull had been born now, they might sound like this in their more serious moments. The point behind Point Of Ares is not to bend progressive music back to its beginning, but to start from a newer and fresher stronghold. It's well worth checking out. It's so refreshing to find a musician with a true artistic bent."
--Tom Kidd, Music Connection, Vol. XXI, No. 4, February 17-March 2, 1997

" From the New England area comes a new trio that is certainly doing something different than what I'm used to hearing. Take the same foundation used by many of the classic prog-rock bands from the seventies, let it incubate until 1996, and then sculpt it around the literary exploits of singer Karen Michalson, and something a bit removed from the current trends reveals itself. At the forefront are Karen's nearly spoken word vocals, which anxiously utter the fantastical lyrics in a way that is best described as a bardic tale for the nineties. . . .Musically, POA presents some strong progressive rock with a number of good moments, especially when guitarist Bill Michalson lets loose with a particularly grabbing lead."
--Tate Bengston, Chaotic Critiques, Issue 7, Spring 1997

"If you are a fan of Rush or Led Zeppelin, or Genesis, even Marillion comes to mind, any of the esoteric, intellectual rock bands of the '70s, you should be able to identify with Karen and her fellow bards. . . .Either Karen knows the secrets of some mystical universe to which I am not privy, or she's smokin' some serious weed! . . .the work is imaginative and lofty. Karen's fantasy background makes her a true minstrel of the nineties, reviving an age-old tradition of combining storytelling and song. The production on the disc is impressive and the sound is much more lush than you would normally get from a three-piece. . . .Obviously consummate and seasoned players all. . . .If you enjoy goth-influenced progressive rock, Enemy Glory might be required 'hearing.'"
--Christopher Marz, Mixx Magazine, Issue 65, February 1997

"they are . . . Renaissance troubadors with electric guitars."
--David Robinson, Northeast Performer, February 1997

". . . . the premise is exceptional . . . . the album concept is great."
--Douglas Sloan, Metronome, December 1996

"Based on songwriter Karen Michalson's fantasy trilogy Enemy Glory, the debut album by this three-piece is not only well crafted, but interesting as well, full of some great harmonies and musical interludes. The album's lyrics read like a book and it is the vocals of Michalson that guide us the listener (er..reader too?) into the mystical world that Enemy Glory is based on. Musically the band takes on a rather theatrical/Wizard Rock way of presenting their music as we are enthralled with the lovely sounds and images bestowed by such interesting songs as 'Ghost In The Flesh,' 'Second Epilogue,' 'Slouching Towards Chaos' and 'Mock's.' . . . [for] those who live for music that is creative and unique this is for you. Like a good book, Enemy Glory is hard to put down."
--Adrian Bromley, Revolt, October 27, 1996

"Wizards, dragons and sword-wielding kings roam through [these] songs, many of which are rendered in a classic rock mode. . . . a cross-pollination of early Rush, Jethro Tull and Led Zeppelin. . . . Point Of Ares is finding fans materializing everywhere . . . in an age when electronic drones and self-effacing lyrics are more the order of the day."
--Scott McLennan, Telegram & Gazette, October 24, 1996

". . . . an audio treasure. . . . The musical accompaniment is sharp, imaginative, and paints broad vistas that hold the otherworld-like lyrics. . . . flashy brilliance."
--Joe Longone, The Worcester Phoenix, October 11, 1996

"In Karen Michalson's fertile mind sifts the sounds of Point Of Ares. From her elaborate imagination sprang a formidable rock trio who are prepared to take their far-reaching words and music to the heart of pop music. . . . After taking in their rehearsal and listening to the three-song demo of their upcoming CD, Enemy Glory, I'd attest to their creative flair. Each member is an adroit musician; and they play three distinctly separate parts of a performance that somehow blends perfectly together -- all differently but in the same direction."
--Joe Longone, The Worcester Phoenix, May 24, 1996

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