Young band, mature sound, ridiculous lyrics, stunning production.
These impressions are quickly and emphatically underlined as you move through the first four tracks. Then, like a thief in the night, an unwelcome but unavoidable sense of sameness creeps in and steals away that flawed but colourful bloom. More in a moment.
This is Finnish band Altaria's third album. Automatic promotion to the Power/Melodic Metal Premier League seemed a sure thing after 2004's
'Divinity', but with '
The Fallen Empire' they'll be lucky to get a shot at the Play Offs.
Good stuff is rare, but the best is impressive.
'Frozen Hearts', a forlorn anthem of desolation, and
'The Lion', a song of diversity, drama and power, delve deep into hard rock territory and are all the better for it. A well worn path perhaps, but the band seem much more at home and much more natural on this material.
But it's too little, too early.
As the album winds on, the low, arduous hum of by-the-numbers melodic metal becomes deafening. There's no imagination and precious little passion, and despite some fiery guitarwork nothing much ignites.
Often there's too much content and not enough subject. The songs, riddled with relentlessly grandiose lyrics, peddle mock heroics and not much more.
Then suddenly, an ordinary track like
'Outlaw Blood' or
'Chosen One' will be elevated onto a much higher level by a short but inspired axe solo.
Altaria's music never totally descends into failure, it's just that it never really ascends - above mentioned tracks excepted - into spellbinding greatness either.
Disappointing.
Written by
Brian Wednesday, May 17, 2006
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