So far 2000 has yielded some real good power metal. Three albums that stand out in my mind are UDO "Holy", JACOBS DREAM "S/T" and now DARK AVENGER from Brazil. I read a review or two about this disc in Heavy Oder Was? and NuclearBlast and decided to pick it up in Germany where it is available at the local record stores.
This is a great CD. The kind that you think is real good on first listen and actually gets better and better with more listens! This is strong, serious power metal. Heavy and well played guitars and a strong voice, though heavily laden with a strong Brazilian accent that is most notable on the 2 ballads, and can not be heard at all on track 6 "Rebellion" where vocalist Mario Linhares does his black metal vocal imitation. The ballads don't fit on this CD, but I program my CD player to skip them. This is sort of a good vs. evil concept CD though some of the songs don't seem to fit.
A little detail on this CD by track:
1. Armageddon - Opening track grabs you and is one of the best on the CD. Opening riff sounds like "Creeping Death" a little but quickly establishes it's own identity. Careful on the vocals they took me a few minutes to get used to. No question he can sing with an excellent range. Nothing gay or happy here but the native Brazilian does struggle with pronunciation a bit. 2. Die Mermaid - After a slow start this becomes a epic prog/power blend with a strong chorus and melody. Again a JACOBS DREAM flavor. Very catchy after a listen or two. 3. Who dares to care - Up tempo speed metal, good song but not one of the outstanding numbers on this disk. The wailing vocals at parts really remind me of JACOBS DREAM. 4. Give a chance - Ballad #1 Ugh, I skip this. 5. Green blood - Back to metal but one of the more commercial tracks on this disk (see track #9). Not the heaviest but very well put together. Nice bass lines. 6. Rebellion - Ah, the devil talking to us. A Babylonian opening sound leads up to strong power chords. Here the vocalist uses some black metal vocal techniques while still keeping the power metal melodies. Even with the vocals given on the sleeve its hard to follow the lyrics but this song jams. One of the best songs on this disk. 7. Dark Avenger - Possibly the best track on the disk. Lengthy atmospheric keyboard intro leads into some of the best power metal riffs on this disk. Again, a similarity of the wailing vocals with JACOBS DREAM is noted. I sure would like to see this performed live! 8. Half dead eyes - Ballad #2. I don't know how this fits here, it's bad. 9. Madelyne - This is the commercial "rock" song on this CD, which might get play on Brazilian radio. But even so, it's nothing like commercial radio in the US and has a certain up tempo IRON MAIDEN feel to it. 10. Ghost Divinity - Atmospheric vocals created electronically opens the mood here. Leads to another strong driving power metal anthem and wraps up the concept somewhat. 11. Call of Fight - Great MANOWAR styled lyrics! STRONG song not for wimps and posers, but melody is a little scattered. 12. Morgana (Bonus Track) - First minute or so is keyboard intro and this song has a slightly lower recording quality (demo?) but once it gets going it is another strong lyrical and musical product. Very nice guitar interplay as a backdrop for an amazing vocal range display! Also in the running for top track on this CD.
In terms of Power Metal releases in 2000 this is in the top three!
Tremendous Metal!
galloping power metalers