AXENSTAR
The Inquisition
Arise Records
8/10
Bringing you metal that is energetic, stirring, and at the same time commercially alluring, Axenstar have taken equal parts Europe and Blind Guardian in order to craft their powerful style. “The Inquisition” finds the quintet reaching for the horizons of power metal on the forward-driving “The Fallen One”, with Magnus Winterwild delivering a solid vocal performance that suits the group’s urgent melodies.
Twin guitar harmonies assist in making “Under Black Wings” a particularly enjoyable cut, with the tandem of Thomas Eriksson and Peter “Peppe” Johansson proving to be a vibrant combination.
Winterwild also provides keyboard accompaniments that flesh out the group’s sound and proves himself to be a talented player, with shining moments such as the brief piano solo which graces this cut. Bass guitarist Magnus Ek takes cues from Burton as well as Harris and due to this record’s excellent production, his instrument cuts through the mix, properly displaying his impressive achievement on the thumping “Salvation.”
Eriksson’s leads are invigorating, well placed and executed with a great degree of precision. Many of the group’s more bombastic, resonating song parts are reminiscent of Metallica, you’ll find these heavy accents scattered through blazing tracks “Inside Your Mind” and “The Burning”, while numbers like “Drifting” show that the band can pull off a affectionate acoustic ballad with flair as well.
A remarkably good quality of production gives these tracks an edge that makes the music shimmer, the notable routine of each individual constituent bursting through a mix that seems as perfect as possible.
Any proper power metal fan cannot deny that Axenstar are one of the most original artists in a genre which has lately been stagnant with same-sounding acts. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, “The Inquisition” is a fantastic record.
Written By: Harvester Crowlee
No comments:
Post a Comment