BAND: REQUIEM
ALBUM: Mask of Damnation
LABEL: Sound Riot Records
LABEL URL: http://www.soundriot.net
RELEASE DATE: 2004
BAND URL: http://requiem.kpnet.com
TRACKLISTING
1. Blinded
2. The Dying Ember
3. Mask of Damnation
4. Divine Illusion
5. Ethereal Journey
6. Shrine of the Ocean
7. Dagger
8. The Rivals Spell
REVIEW
Ive never heard of this band before and I was pleasantly surprised when I gave this a spin. The first thing you notice is that these guys love melodic power metal. But more importantly the guitar solos - especially the opening track Blinded - go out of their way to embrace the listener by showing a bit of string.
Lets face it, this is a Finnish band and their music is pretty top standard stuff. These guys have been involved in side projects with SONTA ARCTICA and NIGHTWISH and a funny story is still circulating about the REQUIEMs keyboardist who still hasnt departed for SONATA ARCTICA even though it was agreed he would back in 2003!
The album has a definite feel for the theatrics as sometimes the vocals are exaggerated to give a feeling of an operatic performance. The instruments are clear; the guitar solos as mentioned are in the listeners ear and the vocal performance by Jouni is good but not brilliant.
The Mask of Damnation is crisp and there is enough melody and power metal riffs to keep most content. The guitar solos really do need to be listened to carefully as they are real little gems to the ear.
Reviewer Chief B
Rating 6.5 /10
ALBUM: Mask of Damnation
LABEL: Sound Riot Records
LABEL URL: http://www.soundriot.net
RELEASE DATE: 2004
BAND URL: http://requiem.kpnet.com
TRACKLISTING
1. Blinded
2. The Dying Ember
3. Mask of Damnation
4. Divine Illusion
5. Ethereal Journey
6. Shrine of the Ocean
7. Dagger
8. The Rivals Spell
REVIEW
Ive never heard of this band before and I was pleasantly surprised when I gave this a spin. The first thing you notice is that these guys love melodic power metal. But more importantly the guitar solos - especially the opening track Blinded - go out of their way to embrace the listener by showing a bit of string.
Lets face it, this is a Finnish band and their music is pretty top standard stuff. These guys have been involved in side projects with SONTA ARCTICA and NIGHTWISH and a funny story is still circulating about the REQUIEMs keyboardist who still hasnt departed for SONATA ARCTICA even though it was agreed he would back in 2003!
The album has a definite feel for the theatrics as sometimes the vocals are exaggerated to give a feeling of an operatic performance. The instruments are clear; the guitar solos as mentioned are in the listeners ear and the vocal performance by Jouni is good but not brilliant.
The Mask of Damnation is crisp and there is enough melody and power metal riffs to keep most content. The guitar solos really do need to be listened to carefully as they are real little gems to the ear.
Reviewer Chief B
Rating 6.5 /10
