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'Sound
Riot Records have managed to sign a number of quality Power Metal bands
and Norwegian band Memorized Dreams are one of them. In a deal for
a further 2 albums following on from this one, the future looks
prosperous for this particular band.
This particular label are showing a strong interest in this genre and
bands from both Norway, and elsewhere in Europe where the scene is
already more dominant. This can only be good for the whole Power
Metal community.
'Theater Of Life' is an album that delivers a mix of quality vocals and
powerful guitars balanced out with monstrous drums. But the
addition of choral sections that are not over powering, and the mix
between the faster tracks and the more melodic ones is a compliment to
the production and final mastering. Obviously not taking anything
away from the band itself and their talents as musicians.
The opening track proper 'Cardinal Sin' is a great way to start the
album with its pounding drum beat and rhythmic guitars set the way for
vocalist Terje Haroy to stamp his mark on the album. The same high
quality is carried on to the more guitar oriented next track 'Haloes And
Wings'. These two great openers with have you baying of more of
the same.
The next track 'Gates Of Heaven' is a faster paced track that still
doesn’t lose the balance of the album and also features the vocals of
Olaf Hayer of LUCA TURILLI and DIONYSUS. The song 'Seas of
Oblivion' is a total contrast to that of the earlier tracks on the
album. This beautiful ballad does away with all the guitars and
drums and is simply accompanied on piano. The additional of a the
gentle background vocals of a female choir lifts the song, which really
works well as mid album piece that breaks away from some of the more
traditional Power Metal tracks.
The pace is picked up once more on 'Neverland' which features some of
the best keyboards on the entire album. 'Revelating Paradise' is
probably the fastest track on the album and one that showcases an
intensity of guitar work by Kee Jason and Frode Hovd that you will find
hard to match.
The final two tracks 'Light Above All' and the complex 'Crimson Dream'
feature heavily the drums of DIVIDED MULTITUDE skins man Olaf Skei, who
gives both tracks that added punch that make them really stand out.
The fans of Power Metal will love this debut release from the band and
after listening to it I'm sure they will be eagerly waiting in
anticipation for the next one.
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