How does it feel if your emotions inflate, to burst out to the minor itch? How does it feel, to provoke your certified 'ego' with tons of uncontaminated shrewd ingenuity? How many times does the average human need to be exposed to ample uniqueness, gesturing the interior energy, for the benefit to live uncomplicated... An infamous Greek philosopher's words, paraphrased a bit for the needs of this review. It'll all make sense - no worries - as soon as you decide to flirt with Wolfcry and Warfair.
If a band's obstacles have to be 'lineup changes', 'military obligations' or 'lack of local support', then its Greece and Greek Metal bands you're talkin' about. Wolfcry took shape in 1992 (an 'updated version' of local Metal heroes Vanguard) with Andreas The Wizard as the Project Manager of this venture. I remember back then the 'Top of the Tops' Molon Lave record label - I think every single Metal band of that time developed a 'whatever' deal with this label; Wolfcry not being out of it. Nothing went on, though, and it was not until 1996 that The Ivory Tower demo saw the light of day. Several appearances in Greek (or not only?) CD compilations extended the band's recognition; still it was not until 2001 that the Power Within debut came out. Didn't have the chance to hear this one back then, but anyway, this would not be that fatal since a great album like Nightbreed (2003) emerged. Now, two years later and - again - via Black Lotus, Warfair is presented and I could easily assume that it won't be an unfair warfare if you bypass the opportunity to grab this one.
Explaining: Standing - with great success - equally between the 'force' of European Power Metal and the 'spirit' of Heavy Prog Metal, Warfair presents all the elements the aforementioned sub-genres' fans would ask for. Razorblade riffs 'cooperating' with doomed symphonic/Epic-influenced keyboard work, all backed up by a furious Classic Metal based rhythm section. I was shocked to discover how this band can relate riff monsters with sensitive key-words, in a way (God, bless me!) that only legends like Shadow Gallery can succeed in. Talkin' 'bout bands: Conception (Costas Khan Hatzigeorgiou is the man), Symphony X (here and there) or Stratovarius/Labyrinth (rare) can answer your so, what's it like question.
I'd only wish the production would sound a little bit better. Not that there's something irritating (God, bless me again!) since the mix is fine. Still, a lack of power (where more needed) is somehow profound. Hey, this is not the critical drawback. Listen to ...Here We Are, The Mirror Mask, Semper Casta, On The Edge or The Pledge and try to find your favorite in a set of equally great tunes, filled up with amazing melodies - the band is really hard working - and endless dozes of Heavy atmosphere. I wish all bands (especially the Prog Metal self-entitled ones) could reach such a towering level of guitar/keys 'contradiction' in five-minute (average) songs played by intelligent, open-minded metalheads.
Excellent, excellent, excellent! It's not weird you'll love this album. It's not that everything is unfair, at last...
P.S.: The Enola Gay cover version is spirited...