Absolon – ‘The Blood Seed’

NoLifeTilMetalRecords present 2nd album release, ‘The Blood Seed’, from prog metal band, Absolon. (NLTMR’s first launch of the year).

Comparable to Queensryche, Iced Earth, Crimson Glory, Judas Priest and Savatage, Absolon now features a new line-up, consisting of Ken Pike (ex-Malachia), Alex Repetti (Infinite Spectrum, Severed Angel) and Wayne Noon (Phoenix Reign, Project Resurrect, Severed Angel).

Featured single ‘Destroyer’ is themed around a future projection of a special forces soldier, in a nuclear apocalypse and after the event, sent to prevent the reconstruction of the affected cities, via destructive means, so as to stop history repeating itself.

Destroyer – Opening on a brief voice-over, followed with power riffs. First-rate production levels. A slight sci-fi/spacey sound, stacked to the rafters with melody. Just a ton of full force metal, with the riffage leading the way. Memorable lyrics. Fully immersed in those themes and sounds. Not a note out of place, anywhere. Explosive ending.

Darkness Calls – Eerie, apocalyptic sounds intro, then into power metal territory. Full on stuff, again and a rainbow of riffs. The electricity’s there, as you hear the fingers moving down those frets. Well handled scales, perfectly placed, at the bridge and continuing on, from there. Very strong vocals and a slight anthemic feel to the backing voices. Acute ending.

My Shadow – Shadowy steel strings open, onto a velveteen riff section. A more poignant tone yields to a similarly power-based refrain. The feeling’s clear. So much colour and vivacity. Just a tumbling waterfall of metal.

Anger Unconfined – Screeching intro effects and a slab of steel concrete, landing. Driven, rushing sounds. That pressure forms the crux. Exultant speed riffs, screaming melody, all the way. Bomb-like drum drops. Speeding on, like a Pinball Wizard, to the end.

The Blood Seed – Opening with a very Bach-esque organ section, laying down a whole different vibe, before speed metal overtakes. Featuring a symphonic aspect, fitting the style well. Rushing on, with well-placed vocal harmonies. Colourful riffage; lyrics, both light and dark, playing with different, interacting vocal styles. Rocking that anthemic flavour, again. Riffs screaming on, with the smooth vocal flow, till the end.

The Time Has Come – Booming drums intro; riffs smoothly following. Slightly more lyrical profundity. Drums crashing, thunderously, over you. Riffs peaking higher. Bringing it to a screaming climax, at the end.

Gates Of Hell – Majorly heavy opening, taking it up to the max. Energised power streaks, throughout. More delicious tumbling towers of riffs. High-class audio. Peaking, once more, at the end.

War Of Angels – Crashing down on you, at the outset. Fitting lyrics. Another rainbow of riff colours. Sustaining that speed and classic metal tang. Raining metal, all the way. Sharp riff fade-out.

Overall – Refreshingly energised and pumped full of power, throughout, ‘TBS’ is a thoroughly fun and enjoyable album, alive with metal spirit and vitality, from start to finish. Peak performance and production levels, all the way and stacks of colour, in addition. More power than prog, but still notationally complex enough to pass as prog, boosting the sound, with a ton of intoxicating speed. Highly recommended listen, featuring high dosage melodies, packed into every note.

10/10 **********

For fans of Queensryche, Yngwie Malmsteen, Diamond Head, Dragonforce, Escape The Fates, Powervice, Farseer, Enforcer, Voltax, White Wizzard, Rainbow, R.A.M.