Aska--Avenger (2000/EMA)
Rating--8.7
Eternal Night--RealAudio Crown of Thorns--RealAudio
The boys from Texas have finally channeled their sound into one distinct style, and it rolls swift and strong on this (their fourth) release.
A beefy, powerful,
to-the-hilt mid-80s NWOBHM extravaganza is what you have, as there's shadows of Maiden, Manowar,
and Priest. Excellent, strong power vocals, with plenty of emotion. Think Eric Adams, with slices of low-end Tate. These guys deserve a
major-label deal-- no questions asked.
A spoken 'Excalibur' intro gives atmosphere to the opening song "Crown of Thorns," and it then launches into a true power flow. "Leather" is a strafing, nasty track, and
the yearning vocals of "Escape Victorious" make it solid.
"Eternal Night" is fast-paced with great pull-off notes, and has a solid mid-track rhythm drive. "Angels of
War" is chugging, and both "Imperial Rome" and the thick "Against the Gods" are good.
The driving, cutting "Valkyries" is found near disc's end,
directly after the Maiden-gallop of "Lethal Injection".
TRACK LIST: Crown of Thorns/Leather/Escape Victorius/Angels of War/Prelude to Darkness/Eternal Night/Imperial Rome/Against the Gods/Lethal Injection/
Valkyries/Warrior's Return
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