HIGHLORD
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
These power metallers from Italy may not break any new ground with "Medusa's Coil," but their incredible musicianship and rock solid songwriting skills make this CD immensely satisfying for fans of the genre.
Don't let the first track fool you. Surprisingly, despite being this CD's namesake, "Medusa's Coil" is a merely adequate, only semi-interesting tune. If you stop listening to the CD after that particular tune, you'll be doing yourself a disservice. Because, from the point that track one finishes, the CD picks up pace and never looks back, delivering an engaging cornucopia of power metal sounds -- from soaring vocals to driving guitars to heavy keyboard texturing -- that draws you into the CD far more than the first track would lead you to believe. And track one isn't bad ... it just isn't particularly noteworthy.
"Medusa's Coil" will give power metal fans, especially Italian power metal fans, a strong dose of what they're looking for. It may not break any barriers or discover any new ground but, in this particular genre, that might very well be a good thing.
Highlord: Stefano Droetto - guitars; Andrea Marchisio - vocals; Diego DeVita - bass; Alessandro Musico - keyboards; Luca Pellegrino - drums.
For more information, check out www.highlord.it.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2006 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 28 Oct 2024 12:36:40 -0500.
