Out of Belfast in Northern Ireland comes the old school heavy metal band TERMINUS, and in their debut album they bring all that is awesome in this great and usually underrated genre.

"The Reaper's Spiral" features the musical excellence requisite to the genre, and more. Beattie's voice carries all the power of his amplified comrades and works great vocal over the pounding musical lines the great rhythm section keeps driving - slow or fast, soft or hard, all powerful and precise. Did I hear someone say Bruce Dickinson out back?

The twin guitar attack of sirs Paul and Gavin is everything I expect of a two-guitar band: tight and precise, harmonizing and supporting each other in a massive sonic attack. More riff and lead oriented than most bands in this particular metal niche (although the solos they do play masterfully done), they weave in and out of the song structure to create great musical intervals between the verses. Vocal parts woven into leads and changing riffs is only seldom done right, and it is like a fresh breeze to hear one that is... I compare again with the great IRON MAIDEN (or maybe 2000-era BLIND GUARDIAN), but never think this a copy-band: these guys wear their influences on their sleeves, but they copy no one.

Here's a little candy for you sci-fi nerds out there: the album's lyrics (and the band's name, as well) are mostly about the works of Isaac Asimov, and his Foundation series. A really nice touch, and it makes you listen harder to the lyrics, looking for stuff you'll recognize. Too bad there's no song about the Mule.

In my book, this is among the rare records that have it all: power, aggression, emotion... melody, dynamics, instruments working as one and lyrics I actually care about. I enjoyed it immensely... and I think you will, too.