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Artist: Invictus |
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Formed by Mikael Fitrzyk in 1996 under the moniker Quark7 and influenced by the likes of UFO, Malmsteen and Savatage, mixing Symphonic and Melodic Metal elements in such a way as to develop their own sound and released on album under the Quark7 name. But in 1999 after a few line-up changes Invictus was born and the band's first album 'Once Upon A Time' was to mark the upturn in the bands fortune by building a massive underground following. The bands third album 'Black Heart' saw the light of day in 2002 and again pushed the band out of the underground onto the main stage of the French Metal scene. Now in 2009 the band have returned with their latest album 'Persecution', a much more polished Metal affair that shows the band have evolved into a more tighter and more dynamic unit. The album still has many Symphonic and Melodic Metal elements to it, but there is an air of freshness about this album, that will provoke many a good word about the band when released. The album opens up with ‘Face To Face (Pt1)’, a massive track that has that familiar Symphonic element but on a much grander scale than before. The big bass lines and a titanic drum section wrap around a down tuned guitar sound, which are all interwoven with the tremendous vocal of Ferderic Glo, who gives the album that modern edge. The album continues with the heavier pounding beat of ‘Kill The Dogs’, again a metal monster with an anthemic metal chorus. Next up is ‘Silence Of Death’, a definite nominee for track of the album with its meaty bass hooks and driven guitars. Again it's Glo that really makes this one something special, it may not be as fast or as heavy as the previous tracks but it's the haunting melodies that really make this one from me. You could really imagine this one unplugged being there's that something special about it. Another outstanding track is ‘Agony Of War’, a moving semi-acoustic track that is influenced by Harry S Trueman’s decision in 1945 to drop the first atomic bomb, in an attempt to stop the agony of war (if he only knew). It's back to the thumping metal of the hedonistic brain buster ‘Spiral’, a great metalheads track. Big fast guitar licks and a huge back beat, great stuff. 'Face To Face (Pt2)' is an instrumental piece that leads nicely into 'Face To Face (Pt3)', which is basically just Glo and an acoustic guitar . Then it's back to the big riffs and huge overtures for the ‘The Eclipse Of The World’ and the old school metal vibe of ‘See You Back’, before what is my track of the album ‘Demons’. A real classy rocker that has all the makings of first single to me. 'Rosy Rose' again shows the bands more melodic metal side, a big hitter of a track, a real thumping good rocker that is just a great slice of modern day metal. If you're wondering what this band would sound like live then pick up a first pressing of the album to find the bonus track ‘The Angels’, which only makes me wanna see this band perform live more.
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Tracklisting:
1. Face To Face
pt 1
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