2004-03-17
I have to say that I was distraught when hearing that Dirk Thurische left Angel Dust, one of Germany’s finest, and oldest power metal bands, whose some of their latest records, those in which Dirk sang, are some of the best metal albums I have, heavy, well produced power metal, gaining much from Dirk’s distinct voice.
I know not what ‘s going on with Angel Dust, I heard they’ve split up again, for the second, or third time in their career, but our friend, Dirk, has released an album under the moniker “Mercury Tide”, and this is a very different putting than anything released by Angel Dust.
His voice sounds the same, melodic, tinged with a raw edge to it, harsher than other power metal vocalists, yet the music isn’t power metal, it leans more towards the progressive, accentuated by a Goth feel.
The album benefits from solid production values, sounding a lot like Angel Dust’s latest albums, probably because it was (I believe) produced by the same team usually employed by Century Media records.
The albums feel is heavily influenced by the keyboard strumming of one Andres Iwers, from Tiamat, and the guitar playing of Brend Auferman, Ex- Angel Dust himself, which adds to Dirk, who plays guitar himself.
The songs go from Hard rock based Goth into more progressive titles that bare a strong seventies feel to them, occasionally giving way to heavier riffs, all in all, no boring stuff here, and every melodic metal fan should find something to enjoy and to like,
It’s no masterpiece, but a well-rounded album, very easy on one’s ears.
Now lets hope that Angel Dust do not disappoint us…
Alon Miasnikov
