Can you stand the fact that there's an awesome Metal band out there performing great music and you're still not aware of them? ASTRAL DOORS release their newest effort, New Revelation and the mere question striking hard in my rotten mind is: why the hell isn't this band as grand as possible already? New Revelation is the weapon you need against those criticizing the lack of melody in Metal's heaviness. That simple...
Of The Son And The Father (2003), Evil Is Forever (2005) and Astralism (2006) have already helped this wonderful Swedish Metal sextet establishing a good name in the thinking/tasteful Metal market. The band, founded by Joachim Nordlund, Johan Lindstedt and Nils Patrik Johansson (LION'S SHARE, ex-SPACE ODYSSEY), has offered - through its so far career - lessons in classic European Metal music endorsed by tons of old-fashioned keyboards and amazing 'choir vocals' refrains. Whoever said it seems like ASTRAL DOORS is a Power Metal reincarnation of Dio/Martin's BLACK SABBATH era with BLIND GUARDIAN's Imaginations From The Other Side feeling is completely right. Meaning: you love albums like Mob Rules and Tyr while you want something with more guts and 'wander' than e.g. EDGUY or HAMMERFALL? Here's ASTRAL DOORS.
Johansson's voice is terrific again; juvenile fans would rather assume that it's Tony Martin singing here, but Patrik is smart enough to take Tony's similarities and develop them along with his passion for tenor breaks and high-pitched-but-guts-loaded screams throughout all the songs. The other way round: the one and only Ronnie James Dio will be glad hearing to Patrik's voice: the seed has planted! The way this man steps in or out of a vocal part is simply excellent. He can make you sing along, or raise your fist (like Rock 'n' Rolf, huh!) to his singing in milliseconds. For the old-school ones, add enough of Steve Grimmet's (GRIM REAPER, LIONSHEART, ONSLAUGHT) vocal thunder and get prepared to focus on one of the best Metal vocalist worldwide.
As for the music itself (what a bonded band and what a fat-but-clear sound): New Revelation sees nothing less than the same recipe of impressive music. Adding more ACCEPT techniques in the guitar's sound and songwriting, the album is a kick-ass release from the first notes of the same-titled tune to the outro of Mercenary Man. ASTRAL DOORS will convince even the most anti-keys Metal fans. There's variety in tempos, little double-bass drumming will you hear in this album - meaning there's enough air for emotional soloing - while, if I had to pick up a set of tunes, Cold War Survivor, Shores Of Solitude (love it!), Bastard Son (a slow-tempo diamond!) and New Revelation would fill my personal Top list.
But, all the songs are a fine blend of Heavy/Power Metal needed to be heard across the globe. ASTRAL DOORS bear similarities with no other band playing music nowadays. Kinda of not succeeding of thanking them enough for another brilliant Hard/Heavy/Power Metal album, just one note is left to be added: ASTRAL DOORS and New Revelation is the album that will ensure there's still room for excellent Metal music in the 21st century.