Well, that's a conception that's hard to break, even with time: to think of a country as a producer of only one Metal genre. Even today, conceptions as that there are only extreme Metal bands in Brazil, Thrash Metal and Death Metal in the USA and Black Metal in Norway can be found in Metalheads' ideas. Maybe if they take a listen to "Seventh Rising", the new release from Norwegian band GAIA EPICUS, such conception can start to change.

The band is a one man project from Thomas, and plays a form of Power Metal that's based on the invasion that came after 1998, based on names as HELLOWEEN, GAMMA RAY and others in the same vein, with influences of traditional Heavy Metal names as ACCEPT and JUDAS PRIEST. And besides the band isn't reinventing the genre, the honest, personal and heavier approach heard on the album is very good, with very good melodies and catchy parts (especially during the choruses).

Maybe the sonority of "Seventh Rising" can't be what a Power Metal fan expects, because it sounds aggressive and crude in a way that's not usual for the genre. But it's still clean and defined, but in a way that's organic and heavier. And the presence of Mike Terrana on the drums, Lukky Sparxx on the lead guitars, and Tim "Ripper" Owens on the vocals turns things even more interesting.

All the songs are very good, and can really conquest a new set of fans. But the energy of "Like a Phoenix" (that shows the same fast tempos that are usual for the genre, along with a very good chorus), the weighty approach of "Nothing to Lose" (a fine set of abrasive melodies on the guitars, and another very good chorus), the very good technical and melodic appeal of "From Ashes to Fire" and "The Dream" (it's hard to resist to both songs), the catchy classical Power Metal energetic approach of "Dr. Madman" (fast tempos on good contrasts with mid-tempo moments), and "Gods of Metal" are the best moments of the album for a first time in the band's work.

It's obvious that "Seventh Rising" isn't the savior of Heavy Metal, and the idea isn't that. But GAIA EPICUS has a strong charm, indeed.