Armageddon- Eternal Mystery - Rediscovered

Track 1. Appearing- A low humming buzzes into my ears, along with this digital voice. The words can almost be made out. A digital melody plays, which begins to establish the actual song itself. This sort of reminds me a bit of that old classic science fiction movie Flash Gordon, and then the track suddenly ends.

Track 2. No Advice- The music from track one, basically begins here, fully establishing it's beat and melody straight away without wasting any time. The beat is simple and tight. Melodic impression's leave you feeling like this music is something that just is meant to motivate or even move those who listen to it, that there's a serious passionate feel about this music. The flow of the music changes around a bit, the crunching riffs begin to alternate twisting and even turning into more entertaining directions. Along for the ride is a well delayed yet epic lead solo. Things speed up, though the track gets a bit fuzzy, still great though. It's almost like the kind of music you'd expect to be playing during a kick ass RPG game of some sort, dealing with knights wizards etc. The vocal's this entire track have been quite melodic and just glide over the music perfectly, without a problem.

Track 3. Curse of Black Swan- The slow subtle build up of static gives way to a heavy low end bass which brings forth that digital voice again, this time you can barely tell what's being said, though it still sound's pretty bad ass. It almost seems like the speaker has some sort of foreign accent, this track as well seems like the intro for another track perhaps the one that's next.

Track 4. Black Swan Rider- A sudden crash explodes and brings about a echoing beat. Before long the groove of the music permeates within your head, bringing it's distant but rocking melody. This sounds as if it was recorded in a large room with ton's of delay and reverb. Really liking the digital melodies and vocals here, they are absolutely stunning! Though I do wish the guitars were a bit more apparent in the mix. The guitar solo right here of course is making me eat my words with it's complete utter fury. I can say one thing about this song it's a change of direction, they tried something different. The song finally ends on a really rocking heavy groove.

Track 5. Magic Star- Right out of the gates your treated to some great harmony vocals, that are accompanied by what is either a digital piano or organ perhaps? All I know is that lead guitar comes in, sounding pretty damn good. The rhythm guitar sounds a bit aged, but with a decent crunch. This music sounds almost like it was recorded in the 70's or 80's, was this the feel that this band was going for? It definitely has a vintage feel and sound about it. The groove of the song jumps about through entertaining parts, but I just wish it was more connected together. Sound's a bit crazy at times. The dual guitar solo is bad ass! That digital voice returns you can't tell what's being said, though it sounds cool still. The vocals begin their trance again, with that tight beat and the classic crunching guitars. The vocals are quite powerful, just wish the track was just as powerful in places as the vocals are, at times it sounds quite soft and melodic though.

Track 6. Sarabanda- A similar organ or keyboard opens things here with a melody which seems to aim to bring something about. Almost like a church service that is maybe introducing the end of the world? And you get the sudden feeling that this is a short instrumental piece, especially as the digital melodies step things up with their high glancing nuances. But what is it all building to, it's the only question that rings in your head now. The beautiful yet lower humming melody returns and you realize that you should not question it, but just enjoy it. It does not matter what's next, what matters is the dark beauty that's laid before your ears. It unfolds to its ending which is a realization of complete power itself. Almost a divinity about it that mere words can not fully describe, it's a track that I wish would have been much longer.

Track 7. Heavy Metal Symphony- A low humming sound starts the action which quickly transitions into the digital voice, though you can actually tell a bit of what's being said. The voice speaks about the beginning of time and space, very interesting stuff. Some weather sound effects begin to correspond with things that the voice mentions. A thunder grows over the track, along with a ringing bell. A complete darkness and foreboding feeling drowns over you now. Wind blows with a whistle like distant wonder. A tight digital noise clings about, a sweet yet epic guitar lick chimes in perfectly. Love that! The music just begins to melt together, one comes an aggressive rhythm that is tainted with a furious metal. It begins to groove about with its wild and crazy hooks, though it alternates towards a piano playing a melody that seems to be just fucking with your head, along side a violin it would seem, they seem to escalate up a musical scale, as the thunder and lightning return as if to say it's not over yet. Digital melodies thunder about with their worried tones of rapture and gore. The metal bounces back into the picture opening the track up wide, seemingly with a groove that intends to turn towards a direction that just seems eerie, but safe and well defined. Spooky, but just right. Again the heavy rocking direction is changed, it still carries it's classic metal feel, and it's delicious ripping lead licks. The rhythms etc are quite tight here and heavy. A chorus of vocalist reign over the track without question, they quiet down a bit, as the music does, but they take on a more tender impression but just momentarily. The music then becomes thus dark and quite slow and heavy, bringing along with it, bass like vocals. We have officially stepped into some KICK ASS territory of the track, much less the album. Very likely the best song on this album thus far. It's slow, but melodic and it contains a crunch that would grind your soul into tiny pieces. Where do you begin? What can you say, it's like multiple kick ass songs rolled into one, as it thrusts into a new set of melodies that drive you towards insane with their wonder filled creativity on the fret board. The track completely quiets down to a single distant melody and trickling notes at the fore front of your earlobes. Some heavy rhythm parts chime in a few times before a vocalist begins to sing very light and beautiful engaging parts. Heavier musical parts spray back in here and there, bringing more awesome vocalists back around for a moment of complete awe when all of the vocalist sing in absolute harmony. EPIC is the word. Things die again, a very interesting clean guitar part and a stunning violin dance about wonderfully, I love it. There's a sadness here, yet a complete beauty. A loss, but also a renewal of sorts, within another human soul. You begin to feel the passion that these musicians put forth in this track, and its quite amazing. It's very delicate but with a well put phrase of quite articulated and touching prowess. The awesome melodic parts begin to trickle back in, and an evil lead guitar starts it's antic's as well. Slowly and surely the build up begins. A slow snap of the drumsticks, creates a tight drum beat which brings forth an evil tornado of musical wonder. That dark digital voice is summoned forth with the heavy dirty guitar. Together they create a massive force of metal. Just at the right time the chorus of the vocals return as if an army aims to defeat some evil. The aggression of the track, hell of the entire album is right here, right now, thus far. bad ass! Without a doubt the best track on the album. A melodic race towards the ending begins. The dark digital voice stammers out a few more words, as the foreboding weather effects return along with the clean guitar and violin parts that play together in a well put area, if this is the end, then it's a very creative ending. The fading begins, the music dies, if just for a moment, only to have the clean guitar start a strum once more. Digital melodies back it up well, as if there is a meaningful motivation behind them. Your ears completely surrender to the soundscapes all about as you realize the utter dark beauty that they are beholding, it's bright, electric, and quite endearing at times. It's lovely, profound and filled with a trickling madness that just simmers in your soul, waiting to be awakened. I love this clean acoustic guitar riff, it's very beautiful. And you realize that the actual ending of this massive track is coming into being. A heart beat pumps about, as birds seem to announce a death on the rise. That dark digital voice even says it. Death has come. But is it really the end? Or is this voice really just that evil little man on your shoulder meant to scare the hell out of you. An explanation of life and death unfolds, with a very descriptive and intelligent notion. I must say, this track is very likely the BEST track that I have ever had the chance to review. A killer yet slow lead lick finally ends it, thus leaving you wanting more, greatness.

Track 8. No Advice- (radio edit)- What can really be written here? It's basically a shorter edit of a song that's already on this track list. Other than the obvious the music begins quite quickly, the meat of the song is established better. the track is shorter but it hits on the higher and more straight up awesome points of the track. Loving the lead guitar parts, kicks plenty of ass and then some. I'd say they did an exceptional job between the expanded version and editing it down to a proper straight forward heavy rocking piece. It sounds much more connected, opens up better and even has some thoroughly catchy parts.

Track 9. Funeral March- A seemingly different version of a pervious track, Sarabanda, though with more electric guitars. A dual electric guitar melody that the word EPIC is not good enough for, a piano part lingers inwards, as the vocals stumble in with an absolute wonderful demeanor. Love these vocals! There's a passion and warmth, that climb over the track like a monster meant to bring forth a war of emotions. The lyrical subject matter is honest, yet dark, with the might of a thousand exploding suns, it's life, ifs death, it's everything. The drum cadence which gives way to the familiar dark digital voice really makes you think that somebody is about to kick the bucket. All the familiar themes come back around, it's like everything here is beginning to flow full circle within this album, and you begin to see everything here for what it really is. A message of peace, hope, and love, wrapped in an awesome frame of darkness and aggression. It's the kind of music that makes you want to strive for more in your own life, quite inspiring.

Track 10. Heavy Metal Symphony- (short version)- How in the hell can one even begin to grasp the awesome that this track is. It's shortened, but all of the best parts are crammed into one tiny space. The long version was epic, but this it's an overload of progressive power metal at it's finest. Everything is here the dark vocals, the EPIC chorus, the dangerous yet heavy rhythms with the dynamic drumming. Dammit, I fucking love that rhythm, it's heavy as hell, and just reaches out in the dark and GRABS YOU! All told, whether it's the long of short version this track kicks complete ass! The chorus marches on with their mighty bass filled vocals, it all of course fades into black.

Track 11. Mordor- (live)- Speak of the devil, I just watched this shit tonight. The track seems to have a story telling aspect but also progressive melodic elements that consist of weather effects. An epic chorus that rings about with a violent expression of honest and true emotions. That sick lead guitar chimes about with ripping motion. To itself this as well is not that bad of a track it's got a heavy rocking feel. Digging the hell out of these guitars! And just like that this album ends, just suddenly.

It's first I was on a bit of a shaky ground after listening to this album, some parts had me scratching my head, but the more I listened the more I adored this music completely. In the first few tracks I wished the guitars were a bit heavier and more well enunciated, but what can I say this album is like a piece of artwork that is vast with a consistent and broad changing scope, that's quite entertaining. Track 7 without a doubt is the BEST track here. Rating 8/10

gromrecords.net