Reviews
2006-01-29
Metalium's fifth album links to the rest through the concept they created (fighting evil forces, good guy against bad guys- that sort of business) and through the somewhat naked sound they have, where at times they may sound flat.
This 2005 release features once again keyboardist Don Airey (who worked with many heavy metal/ hard rock legends including Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Ozzy) which really brings the vintage sounds in "Destiny" as well as in the intro of "Silence of the Night" where he sets the tone for a soft mellow ballad.
Most of the tracks give a feeling of classic power metal bands like Judas Priest or Helloween; they generate that 80's retro feel – when songs like "Power of time", "Ride on" and "Mother earth" could have become a part of every metalhead's history (assuming they would have been released 20 years ago).
The title track is the highlight in this album just like it was in the previous one and for the exact same reason -it has all those metal-anthem qualities.
"Endless Believer" serves as the epic (8:06) while "Atrocity" is a quick jab meant to stun (the guitar sound/riff in this one reminds me of Children of bodom).
"One by one" ends this album nicely but isn't as strong a finish as Chapter four's finish (
As One) was; it opens with this blast of all the instruments and vocalist Henning shouting "Why?" but seems like they're trying too hard to sound heavy.
Overall, this album is pretty solid and would satisfy those of you who enjoy power metal in its purest form, stripped of modern sound/influences, leaving the music itself to do the talking.
Ofer Vayner
