JUSTIN’S METAL REVIEWS W/C 18/5/09

 

OLD MAN’S CHILD / SLAVES OF THE WORLD

 

This is the 7^th album from Galder’s side project and the guy just keeps coming up with the goods, he still manages to write some great Black Metal that is just as good as anything that he’s been written with Dimmu Borgir and somehow retains a separate identity, only on odd occasions do you think to yourself, that sounds like Dimmu Borigir, which in its self is a minor miracle.

 

As usual Galder handles the vocals, plays all the instruments except the drums and this gives the project a very focused perception and produces some top class Norwegian Melodic Black Metal, full of menacing darkness, that threatens to overwhelm the unsuspecting listener at any moment.  Right from the first track, the superbly dark “Slaves Of The World” to the atmospheric acoustic opening of the last tracks “Servants Of Satan’s Monastery” you get nothing but the very best Metal you could wish for and every track in-between is just as good.

 

This is yet another fine example of just how good Galder is, even outside of Dimmu Borgir and if you like Dimmu you cant fail to be impressed by just how good the CD is, is however you have not heard of the band before, (which I doubt) this is a fine place to start, World class Metal and well deserved of album of the week and will do very nicely until the next Dimmu album comes along, essential buy.  Also listen out for; “Path Of Destruction”, “On The Devil’s Throne”, the epic “Saviours Of Doom” and the unstoppable “Unholy Foreign Crusade”

 

WEBSITE      http://www.myspace.com/officialoldmanschild & http://www.centurymedia.com/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 42 mins + 9 DARK TRACKS

 

 

STRATOVARIUS / POLARIS

 

The last 2 years have been full of turmoil for Finish Power Metal band Stratovarius, Timmo Kotipelto had left, they were going to replace him with a female singer and in the end Timmo Tolkki left but thankfully the band are now back on course and sounding as good as ever.

 

I have been a fan of their brand of Progressive Melodic Metal since the “Fourth Dimension “ album and although musically they have moved on since then their trademarks keyboard, guitar interplay is still as strong and their neo-classical influences are still ever present, one listen to the two part “Emancipation Suite” will convince you of this.  They can still write the hook laden Metal songs like opening track “Deep Unknown” and “Falling Star” demonstrate very well, they always pen a couple of superb Power Ballads for good measure, just listen to “When Mountains Fall” and tell me your not impressed.

 

I have to say that I was not looking forward to this album but when I found out  that Timmo Kotipelto was back as lead vocalist, I breathed a sigh of relief, the band had seen sense at last, I am pleased to say this is the band back on top form and if you like Dream Theater or Symphony X you will definitely enjoy this excellent album.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.stratovarius.com/

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 54 mins + 11 TRACKS