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AXENSTAR |
| by:
Jonathan Mariante
Power metal done to perfection! This is Axenstar's debut, and they've
done a damn fine job with it! They're a talented band, who write good
songs, and they've turned our a very cool slab of quality power metal
here. Axenstar hail from Sweden, the home of Hammerfall, and there's a
lot of Hammerfall influence in their music, as well as from other bands
like Nocturnal Rites, Helloween, Running Wild, Dream Theater, and
Queensryche. "..Twilight" has everything a good power metal album should
have: classic style double axe dualling, from guitarists Thomas Eriksson
and Peter "Peppe" Johansson, who play very well, and also throw in a
very cool solo on every song (another essential ingredient for any good
metal album), speedy double bass drumming, courtesy of drummer Pontus
Jansson, who is accompanied on rhythm by bassist Magnus Ek; and soaring,
operatic vocals (that have a slightly mournful feel to them) from
singer/keyboardist Magnus Eriksson (Thomas' brother), who also does a
good job on those keys. The first three songs, "All I could Ever Be",
"The Cross We Bear", and "King Of Tragedy", are straight on, classic
style power metal numbers, going full speed ahead. Same goes for the
tracks, "New Revelations", "Confess Thy Sins", and the title track
(which closes the album), an epic tune that goes on for almost nine
minutes. The band ease off the gas pedal ever so slightly for two songs,
"Scars" (I swear I hear a touch of the UFO classic "Lights Out" in
this one!) and "Enchantment", both of which dabble into progressive
territory. They even throw in an instrumental, a laid back,
percussion-less number called "Secrets Revealed". "Perpetual Twilight"
should actually be the dawning of a promising future for this band.
Granted, they're in a musical genre that's already quite crowded at this
point in time, but Axenstar are a very good band with a lot of talent
and skill, and have what it takes to rise above and succeed. Highly
recommended to all power metal addicts!
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