FRENZY FIRE

    

METAL & ROCK REVIEWS

    
             
HOME            
REVIEWS            
ARTISTS            
UPCOMING            
LINKS            
             

 

      
   
   
       
       

Let There Be Nothing

    
       
       
       
     
             
Judicator are a power metal band from the USA formed in 2012, releasing their debut album 'Kings Of Rome', later the same year. The follow up album 'Sleepy Plessow' was released in 2013 with third album 'At The Expense Of Humanity', a 2015 release. The bands fourth album 'The Last Emperor' was released in 2018, with fifth album 'Let There Be Nothing', a 2020 release.    
             
American power metallers Judicator return with their newest history lesson - all their previous albums have been conceptual releases, narrating a period of history - this one telling the story of the Byzantine general Belisarius and his quest to re-conquer Roman territories. The story is told through dramatic landscapes and epic story telling - a triumph of power metal meets progressive metal. The eight songs on offer run for an incredible sixty minutes, with half of them exceeding the eight minute mark! The nature of this album is epic and cinematic, with atmosphere aplenty - there are no sub four minute power metal gallops here. 'Let There Be Light' opens the album in a shower of theatrical entertainment, sprinkling the listener with a feeling similar to a West End stage show. Big production and even bigger sound gives 'Let There Be Light' a captivating aura. 'Tomorrow's Sun' is heavier, and picks up the pace, thundering along at a pace more akin to a traditional power metal romp, yet maintaining the albums overall epic feel.    
             
Adopting a more melodic approach, 'Strange To The World' is a sweeping cacophony of operatic overtones, a climactic crescendo of epic waterfalls. The astonishing aural avalanche will have many listeners in absolute awe - if you're looking for a head bangingly fast and furious affair - you're looking in the wrong place, This is a place to experience the ambience, relax and enjoy, and take in everything on offer. 'Let There Be Nothing' (the album) is an experience to live again and again, with each new listen bringing a new discovery. The shortest song on offer 'Autumn Of Souls', is epic power metal fare, a rare gallop among the albums canter, and a moment to remember the roots of the band - steeped in American power metal. Melodic power metal rises high to the surface with the heavy mid tempo thumper 'Gloria'. A foot stomper of a march, 'Gloria' has a chant style chorus that is gonna be lapped up by audiences in every live arena Judicator perform.    
             
With such a theatre ambience surrounding the album, I almost feel myself waiting for an intermission, so I can visit the bar and get a drink, retaking my seat and settling down for the final act...a final act that is yet to come - 'cause for now, the climactic and tension dripping 'Amber Dusk' comes to life and wanders around, head held high, with a sense of the epic oozing from every twang and thump of its nine minute forty second run time. And as the final act approaches, the wide screen, Dolby surround sound, 4HD clarity performance, gathers even more epic, as 'The Way Of A Pilgrim' strides in and swaggers forth - the album getting better and better as it plays on. And so, to the final act - the title song, the epic and climactic 'Let There Be Nothing'. With every theatre performance there is always a "bring the house down" finish, and that's exactly what you get here too. 'Let There Be Nothing' (the song) is a fitting climax to a cracking album, and brings the curtain down on an hour of tension filled enjoyment.    
             
Overall, a truly theatric and cinematic offering that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
At The Expense Of Humanity      
           
"fuelled by reasons of a personal nature, this album is full of passion, pride and the sensational heavy power metal has never sounded so great" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
The Majesty Of Decay      
           
"a glorious symphony of standing ovation proportions, 'The Majesty Of Decay' is exciting, and wonderfully entertaining" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
I Am The Void E.P.      
           
"two songs showing two sides to Judicator - their innovative best and incredible prowess as a cover band" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
Top