FRENZY FIRE

    

METAL & ROCK REVIEWS

    
             
HOME            
REVIEWS            
ARTISTS            
UPCOMING            
LINKS            
             

 

      
   
   
       
       

Under The Curse Of Silence

    
       
       
       
     
             
Emerald Sun are a power metal band from Greece formed in 1998, releasing their debut album, 'The Story Begins' in 2005. 'Escape From Twilight' followed in 2007, with the bands third album 'Regeneration' released in 2011. 'Metal Dome' was released in 2015, and now, in 2018, 'Under The Curse Of Silence' will be released, twenty years after the formation of the band.    
             
Greek metallers Emerald Sun return with their fifth full length offering, and what an offering it is, superb melodic power metal, with a few surprises thrown in. Kicking off the new album is the "foot on the monitor" opener 'Kill Or Be Killed'. Galloping at pace, 'Kill Or Be Killed' is an instant hit, and so infectious you'll be smiling and head nodding all the way through. The five piece have plenty of experience and in the form of lead singer Stelios Tsakiridis, the band have an astounding front man with a phenomenal vocal range. Energy and tempo levels increase as 'All As One' rampages on, guitars duelling, rhythms galloping and a thunderous vibe that will keep your head banging from start to finish. European power metal has never sounded so good, Emerald Sun standing shoulder to shoulder with bands such as Helloween, Primal Fear and HammerFall. Adopting the anthemic mid tempo stomp that American legends Manowar are masters of, 'Carry On' is majestic as it marches on. The call to arms chorus break and "carry on" chant is a masterstroke, with 'Carry On' a certainty for a crowd favourite in a live arena.    
             
Heavying things up, 'Blast' is an amazing slab of very heavy power metal, the style that pioneering German band Rage have made their own...and it's no coincidence that the iconic front man, and Rage founder, Peavy Wagner makes a guest vocal appearance on 'Blast'. His unique and instantly recognisable throaty rasp adds weight to an already weighty and very heavy power metal barrage. Lifting the heaviness (for now) 'Weakness And Shame' is melodic power metal of the most infectious and catchy nature. The sing a long able chorus is gonna be screamed by fans everywhere, as heads roll back and forth in appreciation of an extremely great song. As with most modern era power metal albums, a ballad seems obligatory, and Emerald Sun do not disappoint with their offering. 'Journey Of Life' is perfection in the arena of ballads, lighters will be held very high, with fans swaying from side to side, enjoying the pleasurable aura that flows from 'Journey Of Life'. Singer Stelios delivers an awesome and emotion filled vocal performance. 'Rebel Soul' turns the albums direction back towards the "foot on the monitor" style, with pace and power flowing in abundance. Thunderous yet melodic, 'Rebel Soul' is top notch power metal to get excited about...    
             
The majestic and anthemic foot stomping style returns in the formidable shape of the epic 'Land Of Light', striding tall and proud as it marches across the land. The glory metal genre is stepped into as 'Land Of Light' wanders from epic to anthemic and back to glory as it plays out. Opening with the guitar sound synonymous with the legendary eighties NWOBHM movement, 'Slaves To Addiction' picks up pace and hurtles along at top speed. Catchy and infectious despite its blistering pace, 'Slaves To Addiction' is head bangingly addictive, and may just bang your head right off your shoulders... Now for the biggest surprise on the album, Emerald Sun cover a pop song from 1980, sung by singer and actress Irene Cara, the song achieving chart success as the theme song for the film and TV series Fame. 'Fame' is an iconic eighties pop song and Emerald Sun have done an amazing job with their version, maintaining the same pace and party anthem feel, just like the original. 'World On Fire' soon returns the album back to its power metal roots, with an anthemic sing a long style chorus and an all too infectious rhythm, to keep you smiling and head nodding from start to finish. The album is brought to a close with a surprise bonus song, 'La Fuerza Del Ser', is a Spanish sung version of the earlier ballad 'Journey Of Life'.    
             
Overall, a thunderous and melodic romp of power metal, catchy and infectious, head bangingly addictive and one of the best listening experiences you're ever likely to have.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Fastball Music    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
Kingdom Of Gods      
           
"a pulsating power metal march, Emerald Sun deliver an infectious and addictive array of songs" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
Top