LOST HORIZON
"Awakening
the World" (KOCH; 2001)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Lost Horizon's "Awakening the World" is power metal in its purest, most obvious form. Like Manowar, Lost Horizon are all about walls of rock'n'roll sound and muscled heroes vanquishing evil.
I don't know this for a fact but - judging from the band's made-up faces, leathery costumes and heroic poses on the comic book-like cover, I'd say that the biggest difference between Manowar and Lost Horizon is that Lost Horizon doesn't take themselves as seriously. Don't get me wrong: their music is equally as powerful and even more sophisticated than Manowar's. But the macho posturing with Lost Horizon seems to be done more in fun. At least I hope so. If not, then hot damn these guys are so over the top it's hilarious!
Regardless, as I mentioned above, Lost Horizon is all about walls of sound and "Awakening the World" is all the evidence you need to prove it. Each track fills your stereo with crisp, full music, from the loudest, fastest tracks (i.e., "Heart of Storm") to those that slow down a little bit ("Welcome Back"). The guitars are frenzied yet controlled, the drums are double-kicking all over the damn place and the vocals are those soaring, screaming, piercing cries of banshees off to war. The songs are miniature epics that tell tales of battle and revenge.
Fans of Gamma Ray, Stratovarius and, yes, Manowar, will no doubt find Lost Horizon worth checking out, even though I'd give at least two of those three bands an edge over this one.
For more information, check out http://www.oncelosthorizon.com.
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 © 2003 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
