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Realign

    
       
       
       
     
             
Jaded Star are a heavy/power metal band from Greece formed by ex-Visions Of Atlantis singer Maxi Nil in 2013, releasing their debut album 'Memories From The Future' in 2015. Touring with bands such as Moonspell, Epica, and Xandria, the band began their journey of taking the world by storm with their brand of heavy hitting power metal. In 2019, Jaded Star underwent a radical line-up change, with founding member Maxi Nil remaining as the bands only constant. 'Realign' is the bands sophomore album, and was released in 2020.    
             
A combination of three o' the biggest metal styles in the world all come together as Greek metallers Jaded Star field their second album 'Realign' - the styles of power metal, melodic metal, and hard rock are all sprinkled over the ten songs on offer - 'Realign' exploding into life with the defiant roar of 'Female Fronted'. There has been much talk recently of "female fronted is not a genre" - and it's not! Who really cares what gender is singing when it's the music we fall in love with first, with the vocals a pleasurable accompaniment. I never have, nor will I ever, categorise a band on the basis of what gender is singing. Anyways - little rant over, let's get on with the business in hand of reviewing 'Realign', and the opening song 'Female Fronted'. A rabble rousing call to arms, 'Female Fronted' is heavy hitting power metal come hard rock with a very strong message, and some powerful lyrics that singer Maxi Nil venomously spits out - "I'm here to stay I'll never fall, I'll smash your head against the wall". And you'd better believe her, I know I do... 'Breathing Fire' takes a slight progressive metal curve as it hits hard and kicks harder. The sing a long chorus is the stuff of "let's get this party started", and will act as an audience participation moment at a live performance. The energy and oomph oozing from the opening double shot is terrific...    
             
...to be replaced by an emotion filled power ballad that shows off the softer side of the band. 'A Pain All Mine' will ignite lighters everywhere, and then extinguish them as the chorus breezes in heavily. Toeing the line between heavy rock and hard rock, 'Maybe' is a melodic and tension filled romp with a very powerful vocal delivery from Nil. Her vocal range is amazing, swiftly soaring between melodic, soulful, powerful and the all out (traditional) power metal style. 'Adrian' lets rip with an abrasive groove laden riff that drives the song forward at a foot tappingly addictive tempo, the band easily switching their soundscape to encapsulate many rock and metal genres, opening their music to a wide array of fans. A chopping riff lacerates the senses as 'Children Of Chaos' stomps in and weaves its way through the melodic metal genre. A very beefy and punchy chorus is gonna be sung by everyone everywhere, such is its chant style nature.    
             
As the album enters its final third, it's clear to see, or hear, that Jaded Star are not afraid to experiment with their sound, trying new approaches, and offering many different slants on the age old metal sound. 'Rise Up' features a crescendo building vocal performance, with Nil's voice getting stronger and more powerful the longer 'Rise Up' runs. With touches of the power ballad style, 'Rise Up' is one of the albums more tender and mellower moments. 'We're The Heroes (A Song For Us)' has crunch and punch in abundance, and sits fairly and squarely in the mid paced melodic power metal groove. The chorus is bright and full of spark, and is so enticing you'll be hooked. And hooked on this band you will be - for 'Realign' reaches out and effortlessly draws you in. With a massive upsurge in intensity and energy, 'Vertigo' oozes oomph and bombast. The heavy hitting nature on display may just leave a few listeners with some bruises. The album comes to an end with the show stopping 'Higher Than Love'. Everything Jaded Star stand for is sewn in to the fabric of 'Higher Than Love' - there is balladry melded with rock blended with melodic metal and a dash of the epic. What a way to end an album - an album that deserves many  listens. Simply because there is so much on offer, you're gonna notice something new with each new listen.    
             
Overall, heavy hitting and infectious power metal come melodic metal come hard rock, 'Realign' is a compelling listen.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
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