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'Songs
of War and Vengeance' is the latest album from Australian guitarist Stu
Marshall, and features an array of guest vocalists from other bands Down
Under.
The album starts with the short guitar piece 'Dawn of Fire', which merges
into the full on melodic metal assault of 'New Hope', vocals on this
track being provided by Crimsonfire vocalist Louie Gorgievski. Gorgievski's voice is
highly reminiscent of Bruce Dickinson's a' la
Chemical Wedding-era solo material, soaring impressively high at points.
A great tune this and one that kicks off the album at a blistering pace.
'Empires of Eden' follows, Gorgievski again lending his voice to another
stomping metal backing, with a hint of thrash in the guitar parts,
before the track breaks off into a glorious solo and a thunderous
ending.
'The Reckoning' begins with a lush string section from the 30 piece
orchestra, and for this track Mike Zolas (ex-Transcending Mortality)
takes the lead vocals. Zolas voice is not as powerful as Gorgievski's,
however he has his own unique style, similar to that of Biff Byford of
Saxon. The track is mainly slow-paced, but beautiful nonetheless.
The barnstorming 'Through Eternity' crashes through the speakers
next, Gorgievski again taking the lead for a stunning Iron Maiden-like
track.....with some fantastic drumming thrown in. Think Judas
Priest's 'Painkiller' album meeting headlong with a track from Maiden's 'A
Matter of Life and Death'........awesome stuff!!
The next track, 'Scars of Innocence', is a gothicy slow-burner, punctuated
by short, sharp riffs which finally flourish into a lengthy solo
from Marshall, and is followed by 'Dark Religion', which begins with a
spoken word intro by The Devil himself!!! Again Gorgievski's vocal
range is impressive on another track which is reminiscent of latter
Bruce Dickinson solo era output. Pounding kick-drums complement the
soaring guitar well on this track, which speeds up considerably at
the mid-point thanks to the sterling work of guest players Ben Thomas
and Chris Porcianko. Best track on the album by far.
Chris Ninni takes over vocal duties for 'Blood Of An Angel', and
his vocal style is very similar to Ozzy Osbourne's, on a track
which batters along at a fair pace before breaking down into an
instrumental section with more trademark flourishes from Marshall,
and an awesome solo!
Gorgievski returns to the mic for 'Fires of Torment', which crashes
through the speakers at 100 miles an hour and is good enough to rival
the best of Iron Maiden's output, and with its soaring vocal
melodies and blistering drumming, together with more deft solos,
it's the heaviest track on the album.
Rounding off the album is 'Black Endings/Echoes of Oblivion', a truly
epic operatic track, with a lengthy spoken word intro which merges
into a powerful crescendo of solos and choir-like chants. A
complete contrast to the tracks that have gone before. It is a stunning
album closer which gradually fades to black and leaves the listener
wanting more.........before leaping back at you with the final part of
the track.......a gentle string laden passage which recalls the previous
'Scars of Innocence'.
Overall an interesting album which is an entertaining doorway to
the cream of Australian metal!
Review by: Dan Armstrong
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