Here we have another Greek band from Athens. And one that some people might remember from the nineties and the noughties, when the band released a total of four studio albums. The band in question is ANGELO PERLEPES' MYSTERY and they play Neo-Classical Rock/Metal. Of that is a strange concept for you, I can tell you what I hear when I listen to their fifth album "Spelled By Fire", released on 12 September 2025. What I am listening to is a combination of the music that ALCATRAZZ used to make on their first albums, when YNGWIE MALMSTEEN was the guitarist in question, combined with the debut album of YNGWIE MALMSTEEN'S RISING FORCE and even some GRAHAM BONNET era RAINBOW. The latter because some of the riffing and guitar parts as well as rhythms could have easily made their way on the album "Down To Earth". Just have a listen to "Stormrider" and "Sign Of The Cross".

If all those references ring a bell for you, you will be in a position to decide whether what ANGELO PERLEPES' MYSTERY do on "Spelled By Fire" is going to be worth your time to listen to. you know you're going to be treated to a lot of guitar masturbation, but the question with such albums always is and always will be if the songs are of a certain quality and standing, or that the solos are the main feature. I can put your mind at ease on that one, as the songs are all above par. Well, except for the last song on "Spelled By Fire", as "Babylon" is like a game of two halves. The first half being atrocious in its simplicity whilst trying to give off a party vibe. And failing miserably. In the second part of the song the band gets their act together again and plays the beautiful sort of Neo-Classical Rock/Metal that fits them like the proverbial glove.

Like I mentioned, for the rest the songs are between good and outstanding. And for those who still adore the RISING FORCE debut album, you might want to sit down when the Adagio version of the title song "Spelled By Fire" is being played. It would have fit seamlessly in between the other ones on that album. As for the vocals, they are done with great taste, and always in order to serve the songs in the bast way possible. Billy Vass might not be the best singer in the world; he does know how to make his vocals blend in with the music and the songs on "Spelled By Fire". I have enjoyed listening to ANGELO PERLEPES' MYSTERY for over 71 minutes, and the fact that I have had this album on repeat should tell you more than enough.