SIGNUM REGIS can be considered as a new band in the block since it counts just three years of existence with already two album under the belt (the new one is also included). And when a band manages to release two full length albums during such a short period of time, it means that there is a distinct and well-defined musical character. I believe that this is exactly the case with SIGNUM REGIS the brainchild of bass player and composer Ronnie König.

"In The Eyes Of Power" is a concept album dealing with the Persian - Roman relations during 224 - 630 AD somewhere in the Middle East. Musically, this means that in this album there are a lot of Eastern melodies especially in the guitars. Filip Koluš is held responsible for the shredding guitar work that shines the Euro Power Metal label paying the proper respect to Yngwie Malmsteen with fast leads and finger burning scale runs. Although, this may sound over-used this album manages to generally escape from all the influences that the average listener will identify after the instrumental track "Renewal In The East".Thevocalsby Göran Edman give SIGNUM REGIS the extra push to take a lead outside the restricted boundaries of the Power Metal sound. He has a multi-layer voice and such an expressional timbre that really gives a unique character to the songs serving the story telling part at ease. After all, Göran Edman is not a new kid in the block since he has been with Yngwie Malmsteen (in "Eclipse" and "Fire & Ice") among others.

Although, the cliché Power Metal structures can easily tracked down in the majority of the tracks SIGNUM REGIS manage to throw some interesting ideas here and there. Just like the epic almost galloping rhythm in "Destroyers Of The World" whereI could not stop thinking of OMEN's battle sound. The guitar lead after the solo is simply amazing for the simple reason that is not all about speed and dexterity; there is a nice melody behind the fast hammer-ons and pull-offs that sounds addictive. Since, the band's mastermind is a bass player, "The Eyes Of Power" features a solid rhythm section lead the four strings that really shine in "Renewal In The East",the mid-tempo "Roma Aeterna" or in the Eastern sounding "The Underground Temple".

This album deserves additional attention, especially from those who think they know everything about Power Metal (like me) and are ready to bury a release without a second thought. There are many things to digest here and if you add the concept behind the lyrics the listening sessions can become very interesting.