Radakka--Malice and Tranquility (1995)
Rating--9.2
Masquerade--RealAudio Sacrifice--RealAudio
This album is just amazing, for several very important reasons. First and foremost, it is spectacular music. Innovative songwriting, superb musicianship, great vocals. Next is the part that is truly a mystery to me--it's import-only. Why is it that the U.S. continues to follow trends and release crap, while real metal like this is only available overseas? Oh well. We set the "trends", we follow the "trends." On to the music...
Radakka reminds me of a lot of bands, but in the end have a sound very much their own. They have the harmonies of older Dokken, but the aggressiveness of Lynch Mob material. They also mix subtle qualities of Dream Theater, Lillian Axe, and older Queensryche. So what does all of this add up to? A very energetic, refreshing, yet cutting-edge, state-of-the-art metal experience. While reminding of each of the above bands, Radakka is at the same time more of a power-metal unit; their sound is heavier and "tougher" somehow. There's no glam here.
Radakka set themselves apart from the pack with their inventive songwriting patterns. Rarely do they follow the "standard formula" for a rock song; instead, they change tempos, add riffs where you wouldn't expect them, and overall give a wide range of sounds on the disc. At the same time, the changes are not overdone--the album holds one's attention very well. An excellent, excellent album, which can be purchased directly from Century Media (see links page) or from various import services (Dream Disc being my fave).
HOT CHOPS: Just about every song on this disc is a highlight in and of itself. Some of the notable selections...
The beginning of "Masquerade", when the guitar rolls in...ahhh...
The song "Sacrifice" is slow and very emotional--in a dark sense. Reminds a bit of Queensryche, and a little of Priest for some reason. I guess maybe what the two bands would sound like in a collaboration?
"Saint's Addiction" is a headbanging jewel. Starts out slow and heavy, and by the time the "saint's addiction" chant is underway at the end, your neck is in a permanent groove.
"Out of the Dark" has cool speak-overs which lend to an atmospheric feel--"...something wicked this way comes..." Ohhh...
The respective riffs in "I'll Walk Alone", "End of the Line", "Solitude", and "Rainy Daze" are all to be revered. I can't rave enough about this disc.
TRACK LIST: Masquerade/Thinking of You/Sacrifice/I'll Walk Alone/Saint's Addiction/Solitude/Rainy Daze/End of the Line/Out of the Dark/Beautiful Thing/In These Chains
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