Heimdall - Hard as Iron - 2004

Heimdall / Hard as Iron (Japanese Edition)
Жанр: Power Metal
Носитель: CD
Страна-производитель диска: Japan
Год издания: 2004
Издатель (лейбл): Soundholic Co., Ltd.
Номер по каталогу: TKCS-85091
Страна: Italy (Salerno, Campania
Аудиокодек: FLAC (*.flac)
Тип рипа: image+.cue
Битрейт аудио: (lossy + lossless)
Продолжительность: 00:52:52
: Собственный Диск
: да (All Scans 600 DPI)
Треклист:
1.Hard as Iron
2.Midnight
3.Moon-Red Light
4.Black Tower
5.Cold
6.The Emperor
7.Dark Home
8.Black Heaven
9.Holy Night
10.Hollow Planet (Bonus Track for Japan)

Лог создания рипа

Содержание индексной карты (.CUE)

Об исполнителе (группе)

Об альбоме (сборнике)

Yet another Italian power metal band, bound to get lost in the shuffle of however many other ones there are. I acquired this album on random whim, possibly due in part to the innuendo in the title and my own lack of maturity. With a title like Hard As Iron, I was expecting something akin to Manowar or Majesty. I was pleasantly surprised.
Musically, this can be summed up in one sentence: Power metal with balls. From their opening thrashers reminiscent of Angel Dust, to the mid-tempo tracks following the Kamelot mold, to the ballads that bring to mind Falconer, there really isn't anything that hasn't been done before. However, in this day and age, I guess we can't really expect anything new and profound... so all that really matters is how well it's done, and done well it is.
The vocalist has one of those voices I find particularly pleasant in power metal, moderately deep and not even attempting the castrato notes. Closest comparisons that come to mind are Mattias Blad and Hansi Kursch, during the slower and faster parts, respectively. Occasionally, they make use of backing chorus', as power metal bands tend to do, but these are considerably lower than the majority and accent the singer very well.
Guitars are mostly riff based and fairly groove-oriented, the riffs staying in your head for a while afterward, with the occasional solo that doesn't sound forced or excessive like certain other bands in the genre. Infrequent piano and synths are used, but as with Angel Dust, aren't used to the point of excess and never enter the realms of symphonic. The rhythm section does little more than keep the beat going, which is all they really need to do anyway.
Musically, their sound's pretty much been covered by my earlier name dropping, if perhaps a little more aggressive and thrashy. I happen to like all three of the aforementioned bands so this rubs me particularly well, and when combined with non-soaring vocals and lack of overabundant keyboards, stands out quite a bit from the majority of the Italian scene.
Overall, I suppose this album isn't a necessary release by any means, but those that enjoy some power metal but dislike the soaring castrato vocals and Helloween clones would probably like this.
Review written by SnowVixen for metal-archives

Состав

Giacomo Mercaldo - Vocals
Sergio Duccillo - Keyboards
Carmelo Claps - Guitars
Fabio Calluori - Guitars
Enrico Canu - Drums
Gianni Canu - Bass