I HATE POWER METAL! There I said it. But since most at Metalrage aren’t that happy listening to this stuff I took the fall for this one.

The things that disturb me about this type of music, are exactly the reasons why people love it. The gay high male vocals, the classical chord structures, the overly present keys, and of course the horrible mix in which the guitar is just a tiny layer in the background, while the bassdrum is almost constantly present. I personally detest the way this sounds. I really don’t like listening to it. Really.

 

But does that make it bad? Unfortunately there are still people who have a different taste than me and I have to live with it, in agony of course. But considering the album musically, it has been thought through very well. You can definitely hear splendid musicianship that is showcased at a stabile level throughout the entire album. And since this band seems to have a quite a cult status, this release will probably please all the fans. That is, if this horrible mastering mix is really the way this stuff should sound. I tell yee, it is not your average headbanging material. I think it's safe to say that a track of this record would do no harm on a (oeh a Dutch joke) Knuffelrock compilation album.

 

To me, it sounds very classical and romantic. Only I think titles like ‘Childslayer’ and ‘Angel Of Death’ (blasphemy!) aren’t that suitable for making love by the fire. Fans only I’d say, and I’ll never be one of those!