Melodic Metal from Finland is what we have today my friends. To my metal ears, just the title Melodic Metal generates concerns as normally is either very good, or very cheesy. It also usually brings the medieval epic themes that can also be great or …cheesy. Some bands like to bring some speed to their music surrounded by histories of war, love and mystery. Finland has given us many great Melodic Metal bands like SONATA ARCTICA and NIGHTWISH that exemplifies the speed and the melodic aspect of it all. Following the Finland tradition of this genre Metal, we have the second album release of a band called METAL DE FACTO ( Metal For Sure) and the name is already cheesy.

The name of the album is Land Of The Rising Sun - Part 1 that makes me think this may be a conceptual work waiting for part 2 (duh!). It looks like an ode to the Japanese samurai warriors and culture as the beautiful album cover implies. The first tune “Rise Amaterasu” (sun goddess from  the Japanese culture) has all the ingredients. Epic vocals lines, great guitars, double bass drum and speed, and a ton of keyboards. For the genre, they are matching perfectly and the tune is quite good. We change the speed a little on “Code of the Samurai”. Another high energy tune with a catchy chorus. We are definitely dealing with well seasoned musicians and good production. The band has 2 very good guitar players (as expected for this kind of music) on Esa Orjatsalo and Mikko Salovaara with piercing solos and riffs that complement each other.

A marching riff starts “Heavier than a Mountain” and then… it gets a little cheesy. The band goes a little softer and I dare to say, a little too Pop Metal to my taste. It sounds like EUROPE to me. To save the day “Slave to the Power’ starts and it is a breath of fresh air. Competent bass player Sami Hinkka starts the tune with a crazy riff that is not usual within the style. The riff is later followed by the guitars making a unique introduction. The bass is very present on this tune and I really like the arrangements as well. The song has a variety of moods and surprises making it the best tune of the album for me so far. This tune also makes the band sound different from the usual expected output and this is a good sign. I do hope the album has more unique riffs and arrangements like this on the tunes to follow.

“Divine Wind” starts and is another good tune. With a slower tempo and a more epic melody, this tune has also a nice, and always noticeable keyboard arrangement from keyboardist Benji Connelly. Keyboards are expected in Melodic Metal and I believe this to be actually essential as they are the ones that usually create the epic moods bringing us something more to chew other than the guitars. We go back to the more cheesy territory with “Tame the Steel” that sounds more like hard rock than metal to me. A little softer and poppy to my ears. We get closer to the end with “Superstars” that changes to the good and more creative side in terms of arrangements and melody. The singer Aitor Arrastia delivers plenty of power and is able to reach ridiculous high notes. Very good singer. This tune is also another breath of fresh air. Intricate arrangement and a variety of moods making another favorite of mine. The chorus is also memorable and catchy.

We reach the end of our samurai journey with the masters of all samurais, “47 Ronin”. With a long musical introduction and the slowest tempo of the album, the song mixes a somber narrating voice telling a tale before shifting to third gear and adding some Power Metal to it. The arrangement is varied but I felt that the song did not catch my ears like the ones I mentioned before. I believe this is exactly to the excess of changes in the musical parts. It's like having 3 songs in one and I got a little lost. This album is not perfect but I like the general work and really liked a couple of songs that to my ears, sound more innovative for the genre. I believe METAL DE FACTO has great musicians and an open future. However, I believe more can be done if you want to get your head out of this very explored music genre.