ARTIZAN is a Power Metal band from Jacksonville, Florida that formed in 2008.  Essentially, the band effectively demonstrates a penchant for riffs and song structures that have more to do with SAVATAGE or VIRGIN STEELE than MORBID ANGEL or OBITUARY.  I attempted to begin listening to this album many times before the last minute that I now find myself in, but unfortunately, my initial reaction to the band was repeatedly of the poorest quality.  If there is one button on the keyboard that when avoided provides harmony, but if pushed, it is a menacing terror with its self-destructive path, then that button is hit once a measure at times.

It must first be said that not only does the album not start out well, it leaves a pervading plethora of sonic bacteria to infect later as well.  The title track that opens the album does not even sound like a song recorded for a Metal album or anything other than the soundtrack/audio files with dialog for World of Warcraft.  The actual song is characterized by one of those riffs that sounds like someone forever trapped in a Groundhog Day loop where one's underwear is taken over by fire ants.  It makes you squirm because in this context, it sounds like myriad different examples of generic, by-the-book Metal-by-numbers. Sadly, things have not started well between this album and this reviewer.  It should be noted that though track seven is a different recording of the title track, bass player extraordinaire Joey Vera is a guest throughout on the low end.  Also guesting is Harry Conklin from polarizing Power Metal band JAG PANZER who offers his signature vocals.  Not being a JAG PANZER fan does not mean I do not have respect for them.  They are also super nice people in person.  If someone prefers this version, I'd really like to know why.

As the album continues, the next track, "The Hangman," initially sounds like it has potential.  There is some good guitar work going on centering the sound firmly in acceptable Heavy Metal territory.  What condemns the song, though, is the drowning, excessive syrup-like melody poured throughout the track. The bass intro that starts the fourth track, "The Endless Odyssey," had real potential but the sound was so scooped that it was completely smothered when the band came in.  The song has a SANCTUARY-ish vibe that slams into an almost Psychedelic Proto Metal chorus.  The double-picking on the riff that sees the rest of the band return is a great example of Metal 101 for guitar, but it is still great to hear someone throw out a Jake E. Lee-meets-HELLOWEEN rff as such.

The final track on the album is called "I Am the Storm," and it is live.  Due to its live delivery, the song has a bit rawer feel to it, a welcome change.  The band seems to constantly be chasing riffs from the well springing from a hybrid of Criss Oliva (SAVATAGE)and Alex Lifeson (RUSH).  Though only recorded, hearing the band in a live setting really helped open my mind a bit more towards the band and soften my stance a tad.  A lot of the dislike I have stems from being around bands back in the day that were always chasing perfection, a clean, crisp, clear representation of the band and its propensity for Progressive stylings, via new gear or pages and pages of new scales.  For me, it just seemed to suck the Metal out of things to constantly be obsessed with perfection instead of being focused on the songs themselves.  I hear a lot of FATES WARNING on this record, a perfect example of a great band that became lost in endless tons of digital rack gear.

Despite the bit of hype I read about the singer, Tom Braden, particularly the mad ravings that he was at classic Geoff Tate level, I remain with my arms folded.  First, this is just my opinion, obviously, for the singer is truly gifted; however, tonally, I find it lacking ample aggression.  Rock 'N Roll, since its exception now long ago, has always been built upon the aesthetic of rebellion.  Braden has a great range and personally, I just want to hear him a little bit rawer, even pissed-off.  I know the guy can do it and perhaps since I haven't heard the other material he appears on, I may have missed other instances of his vocals captured differently.

I do like some of the band's instrumental ideas.  It's really a coin toss between solidly articulate riffs and more uncertain pseudo-Prog territory.  Despite my now-redundant declaration of not being a big fan of some Power and Prog Metal, please know that I can look past personal bias if something truly epic such as "A Night at the Opera" by either band.  Basically, if you, dear reader, are a fan of overt Power Metal and open to a good range of the genre.  ARTIZAN is a good Metal band and one I'd hang out and watch live because according to the two live tracks on here, the band sounds fuller and edgier live.  At the end of the day, I can't recommend this album to a huge swath of Metal people, but if one is itching for new Power Metal and cannot wait for their heroes' new material, worse decisions can be made than picking this up.