JUSTIN’S METAL REVIEWS W/C 1/6/09

 

SUSPERIA / ATTITUDE

 

This latest CD from Norwegian band Susperia is aptly named as there is plenty of Attitude on show on this superb album and just to show how diverse appeal the band have Chuck Billy from Testament and Shagrath form Dimmu Borgir both put in guest appearances, a better recommendation than that you cant get.

 

Musically speaking Susperia are Melodic Death Metal but the mix in Black, Power and Thrash, no musical barriers on this album, just damned fine Metal and no doubt that’s why two such diverse Metal luminaries put in an appearance.  If you looking for no holds barred, to notch Metal with plenty of good guitar playing, coupled with strong, hook laden Melodies then songs like “The Urge”, “Live My Dream”, Elegy & Suffering”, “Mr. Stranger” and “Another Turn” will bring you hours Metallic pleasure for years to come.

 

If you are not aware of what Susperia have done before this album will peak your interest and get you hungry for more, just remember that their first 2 albums are more Black Metal oriented but still good never the less.  This is an album of the week I strongly recommend you get, the only grip I have with this fantastic album it that it’s a bit like Danny DeVito! DAMNED SHORT but very high in quality.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.susperia.net & http://www.candlelightrecords.co.uk

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 36 mins + 9 BRILLIANT TRACKS

 

 

PRIMAL FEAR / 16.6 BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOUR DEAD

 

Primal Fear’s last album “New Religion” was a breakthrough for the band bringing them wider acclaim than just in Europe and especially in the States, this new album is just as good.

 

They have a new guitarist for this album, Magnus Karlsson and he fits into the band easily and his style suites Melodic Power Metal that the band have become synonymous with over the last 12 years.  If you want to get an idea of what to expect then look out for the first video of the track “Six Time Dead (16.6)” as this is very representative of the album and finds the band in fine style with their Judas Priest meets Helloween approach, full of great riffs and plenty of melody and substance.  The album opening track “Riding The Eagle” is just as good and full of almost Thrash type riffs with some really good guitar shredding, as does “Killbound”, “Smith & Wesson” a song inspired by the hand guns in Cowboy films no doubt and the excellent, “No Smoke Without Fire”, not forgetting the stunning riff filled, Speed driven “The Exorcist”, that is Primal Fear at their absolute best.

 

I have been a fan of the band since their inception and this just proves how right I was, the digipack has 2 extras tracks and a video and therefore is totally essential and not an optional extra, what are you waiting For, GO BUYT IT NOW!

 

WEBSITE      http://www.primalfear.de

 

TOTAL PLAYING TIME = 70 mins + 15 GLORIOUS TRACKS 

 

 

MYSTIC PROPHECY / FIREANGEL

 

Yet another German Power Metal pot out another fine release, this time its Mystic Prophecy, their style is similar to that of Primal Fear but they lean slightly more towards Death / Black Metal.

 

If memory serves me correct this is their 6th release since their inception in 2000 and the bands writing has been consistently good and just keeps getting better with each release.  Opening track “Across The Gates Of Hell” lets you know what to expect and it just gets better from their, the Thrash laden “We Kill! You Die!” is as good as any Metal release at the moment and well deserving of your attention as is “Father Forgive Me”, “Death Under Control”, “Revolution Evil” and the tremendous title track “Fireangl”.  The musicianship on this CD is faultless as usual and the lyrics are both poignant and interesting, not just the usual fair.

 

If you haven’t come across this band before this is a very fine place to start and as an added incentive the first pressing comes complete with a bonus disc of rare and live material, what more could you ask for and gets the Justin seal of approval unreservedly, a well deserved album of the week, watch out for these guys during the festival season.

 

WEBSITE      http://www.mysticprophecy.net  & http://www.massacre-records.com

 

TOTAL PLYING TIME = 46 mins + 11 METALIC TRACKS