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October 8, 2008 |
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01. Shadow Beyond My Soul
02. Master Of Sins
03. Evil Empires
04. Savage Souls
05. In The Darkness
06. Deception Of Hate
07. Sins & Sorrows
08. Best Days Of My Life
09. Nightmares Of Demon
10. Victim Of Fate
11. Into The Fire
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Building a solid reputation takes time and is particularly relevant in today's Metal world where several talented bands constantly disappear as easily as they form. Germany's MYSTIC PROPHECY know it all too well and that's probably why over the years they keep coming back stronger with each new album. Five years already since their debut, "Vengeance", was released on Nuclear Blast and one can't deny that these guys keep getting better as time goes by.
This time around, MYSTIC PROPHECY signed on with Massacre Records. As on the band's previous releases, the album was still produced by singer Roberto Dimitri Liapakis while the mixing was done by the Don of Heavy Metal himself, Frederick Nordström at Fredman Studio (IN FLAMES, DARK TRANQUILITY, SOILWORK) in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The album starts real strong with the opening track, "Shadows Beyond My Soul". This is pure German Power Metal à la PRIMAL FEAR and GAMMA RAY with a catchy melody and definitely one the heaviest sound produced in
Metal lately. There is no time to recover as the second track, "Master Of Sins", rages on furiously. It's impossible to deny that MYSTIC PROPHECY has never sounded this good in the past. One can only salute the fact that there is no need for the use of keyboards on this album, which compensates for any lack of harmonies. The old school recipe of a bass/guitar duo, accompanied by double kicking drums works perfectly for these metallers.
With a killer intro, "Evil Empire" takes over as the general ambiance keeps getting heavier proving that Power Metal can kick some serious ass. This is probably the most aggressive song ever recorded by the band and the guitar solo here is simply out this world. Despite a slower tempo, the stamina does not weaken as "Savage Souls" follows. Next, the skull-crushing heaviness of "In The Darkness" keeps growing like an evil seed. "Deception Of Hate" is another one of the best songs in MYSTIC PROPHECY's catalog, which shows just how mature Liapakis' voice has grown, giving him a real distinct sound.
Let's be truthful here: so far, this album hasn't left any room for improvement and gets as close to perfection as a Metal record should ever be. Track #7, "Sins And Sorrows" enhances that statement. The same thing follows with "Best Days Of My Life". The mixing job achieved by Nordström is spectacular. Then with "Nightmare And Demons" and the very early METALLICA-inspired "Victim Of Fate" makes it very difficult to pick a favorite track out of the selection. Bringing the album to a close is the power ballad "Into The Fire".
"Savage Souls" now sets the rules as to what the ultimate Power Metal disc is supposed to sound like. This album deserves a perfect score without any doubt, showing that MYSTIC PROPHECY can now be considered as a force to be reckoned within the universe of Metal.
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