From the EPK: HOUNDS are an Italian Heavy/US Power Metal band born in 2016. Their music is mainly inspired by the great masters of Heavy Metal and 80s US Power Metal, including JUDAS PRIEST, SAVATAGE and VIRGIN STEELE. Well, if that doesn't sound promising, I don't know what does. If HOUNDS are able to use a bit, maybe come close or even emulate even parts of those bands I will be enthralled. So far, the band has produced an EP in 2017 called "Hounds" and their debut album "Warrior Of Sun" in 2020. Now, a lengthy five (almost six) years later, they have decided that we as an audience should be blessed with another bout of their musical endeavours. It is called "Rise Of The Immortals" and clocks a little over 43 minutes of their brand of Heavy/US Power Metal.

As for the influences that HOUNDS is giving is, the only one coming close is VIRGIN STEELE, but that is in production sound only. I honestly can't reference any of the songs to the bands that were mentioned in the first paragraph. I know it is customary to start an album with your most noticeable and arguably best songs you have to offer. Well, on "Rise Of The Immortals" HOUNDS have done just that, as opener "Knightmare" is easily the best song on the album, with the following "Fight, Warrior" coming second at a very respectable distance. And I'm afraid that is as far as it stretches, at least for me. To emphasise my thoughts, the first two songs are the only ones that make any sense, that are okay. The rest is simply not up the level of the first two.

HOUNDS exists of people who are very good at playing their instruments. To be a good musician also requires you to be able to better a song by arranging it properly, make it interesting by giving what you were offered a new lease of life. And if you are a writer as well, you know what your band is capable of and write accordingly. I'm afraid that in my book that is where "Rise Of The Immortals" falls short. Everything is played in a proper manner, giving off a rather positive vibe at first. It is when you really start listening to the album that you realise that the songs on "Rise Of The Immortals" are just not exciting enough, and therefore HOUNDS is falling short of extracting any kind of admiration from my person.