"Renatus" is the Latin word for reborn or rebirth, a very well chosen title for the Fourth record by Sweden's DYNAZTY, because it's indeed a new start for this interesting band even if I had perceived this Power Metal animal asleep in the Sleazy Metal outfit for a long time. When their first album "Bring The Thunder" was published in 2009 thru Perris Records, I had already identified a certain je ne sais quoi, that made ​​me say that the group was more than another gang of peroxide Headbangers in spandex, I stated, in my review at the time, that Nils Molin's voice reminded me a young James LaBrie (WINTER ROSE era), I saw in them something more ambitious than just Hair & Sleaze Metal... STEELHEART meets SWEDISH EROTICA with a European feel... A real Melodic Metal potential with class. Their second and third album, were quite good and I praised their qualities everywhere but it was clearly set in a anthemic side of Hard Rock / Euro Metal, which is of course great, nonetheless now they are back, with a new recruited fierce line up for their most controversial album in order to prove that they aren't a one dimension act.

Indeed, most of the observers, followers and formers only had saw them just as a CRASHDIET / CRAZY LIXX clone, and now all of sudden, they perceived DYNAZTY as the natural son of NOCTURNAL RITES / DREAM EVIL and LAST TRIBE, it's a valid analysis but in fact it's the same band, they just unleashed their hidden instinct and break the tradition rules, this music was already present in their DNA, like a virus in full mutation mode-a disease spread over the Swedish spring water for 30 years now.  So, I'm not in agreement with those who states that "Renatus" is a radical change of musical direction, it's certainly harder than before and by far their most heaviest work to date, but they didn't betrayed anything or anyone, it's for me a natural progression to something more elaborated and most of all the album is pretty Amazing and still very melodic, DYNAZTY on the other hand, is thrilling and exalting.

In fact, their melodic side is as prominent as it ever was, only exposed under a different lightning and expended by a new alloy, still magnetic especially with cuts like "Dawn Of Your Creation", "Runamok" and the first single "Starlight" which are all very catchy and infectious as their past hit "Lands Of Broken Dreams" or "Top Of The Line". Some songs like the fast paced "Cross The Line", "Unholy Deterrent", "Incarnation", the hammering "Sunrise In Hell" or the more progressive and epic "Salvation",  may take a bit longer to grab your mind, but that's also a real strong asset for this album...Everything isn't easy to catch at first because of its obvious density. Other good virtue of "Renatus": an immense variety in the tempos and in the ambiances, enhanced with Keyboards layers set in a modern approach and a damn efficient sonic rendition provided by Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY / CIVIL WAR / STEEL ATTACK / THE UNGUIDED) to give full justice to the new pounding rhythmic section.

The original members performance are also in a full shining mode, of course Nils Molin still possess a powerful and unique voice, with a good vibrato and an impressive range with an ability in reaching each and every high note with ease. Guitar wizards Rob Love Magnusson and Mike Lavér provides some impressive solos, harmonized & lead duels wrapped in a big fat tone. Their guitar work is stellar, stretched until to compete with the highest level of the most reputed virtuoso Swedish players, this elements is the icing on the cake, adding the final touch to the already terrific bands specificities. To conclude this album the last cut "Divine Comedy" contains some new vocal elements courtesy of Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY / PAIN) in a new duality with the high pitched screams of Molin, another cleverly crafted track with a great chorus like MIDNIGHT SUN meets PERSUADER meets H.E.A.T.

The Japanese bonus track for the Shm-CD edition is the best way to achieve the determination of the DYNAZTY's message, the new updated re-recorded under a testosterone rush version of their signature song "Bring The Thunder" is a clear manifesto for their new vision and for their freedom to evolve... The Future is promising but the present is even more exciting.