CD Review: Mystic Prophecy - Ravenlord

Written by Florian Schürmann Monday, 30 January 2012 12:13

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Artist: Mystic Prophecy
Title: Ravenlord
Genre: Power / Heavy / Thrash / Speed Metal
Release Date: 25th November 2011
Label: Massacre Records

Album Review

With their 7th full length record released in their only 11 year long history, MYSTIC PROPHECY have a higher output than most bands, but since the band members claim to earn their daily wages by being musicians that seems to be a plausible necessity. That kind of speed often makes sceptics question the quality of the written and published song material. Let me say straight off: I consider ‘Ravenlord’ to be a very good record as much as I liked the band’s work in the past and I value their outputs highly when it comes to terms of power metal. In the case of MYSTIC PROPHECY, the word power is not just as empty as other fellow musicians interpret it. On ‘Ravenlord’ they play their typical formula of aggressive heavy metal, strongly influenced by the thrash and speed metal subgenres. Production wise there are no complaints: the song’s sound is transparent but rich, with a lot of in-your-face attitude to make the riffs work. According to the band, with this album they took extended studio time and spend i.e. two and a half weeks only on recording the guitars. That decision clearly paid off and Fredrik Nordström (In Flames, Arch Enemy etc.) applied the finishing touches to make them sound better than ever before.

With the album’s title track and opener ‘Ravenlord’ the band delivers probably the most recognizable song of the record. It is a stomping, pounding marching hymn of the above named evil that is coming to get you. While other songs may make you say, that you heard exactly that song from MYSTIC PROPHECY on another record before, this is probably the one where this assumption can be applied the least. The riffing is straight forward with thrashy set pieces interspersed here and there. Singer Roberto Liapakis’ voice is in the shape of his life since he delivers an incredibly great vocal performance not only on this track, but on the rest of the record as well.

After the ‘Ravenlord’ has arrived, he requests everyone to ‘Die Now’ on the second track. Unlike some fans who enjoy power metal exclusively and get upset by the usage of screams and growls in their favourite genre, I find this trend interesting and mostly likable, when it is used appropriately, like in this song. The band floors the accelerator and offers an extraordinary thrash piece, which is one of the best songs on the record. Special kudos goes to the newly acquired drummer Claudio Sisto, who does a hell of a job behind his kit. These two kinds of song types almost keep alternating as the record proceeds. ‘Eyes of the devil’ offers an extremely catchy chorus (as well as its follower ‘Damned tonight’) and a main riff, that I’ve heard before but cannot remember where. At least, with the beginning of ‘Hollow’ an amazing similarity to THE POLICE’s ‘Message in a bottle’ comes to mind, which probably was not intended.

Anyhow, when I arrive at track 6, I noticed that although the riff work is very good, the vocals are amazing and there is momentum and diversity in speed, the record may pass you by when you’re not attentive. I have little explanation why. Maybe the songs are lacking some break-ups or low-key moments; maybe Liapakis’ vocal lines are often too similar; maybe it is because MYSTIC PROPHECY recorded songs like ‘Endless Fire’ or ‘Cross of fire’ several times ago. Let me be clear: This is complaining on a very high level, other bands won’t have one song of the quality of the above mentioned in their whole career. However, the one thing that isn’t acceptable is the lyrics which are horrendously cliché. The musicians say that Liapakis mostly is writing the lyrics beforehand and the songs are developed afterwards. Maybe it is time to get a ghost writer for that job.

Anyway, the album ends with a very good cover version of OZZY OSBOURNE’s ‘Miracle man’ and the feeling that one listened to a mildly flawed but very good record, did not waste any time by doing so and feels the urge to give it a run again now and then. I think this is some positive emotion. You can tell by the great interaction of the musicians that the band in its current form grew more together and is able to write very decent, if not to say kick-ass metal songs. I am curious for album number eight.


Tracklist

01. Ravenlord
02. Die Now
03. Eyes Of The Devil
04. Damned tonight
05. Hollow
06. Wings Of Destiny
07. Endless Fire
08. Cross of lies
09. Reckoning Day
10. Miracle Man (Ozzy Osbourne cover)


Line-up

Roberto Dimitri Liapakis - Vocals
Markus Pohl - Guitars
Connie "Connor" Andreszka - Bass
Constantine - Guitars
Claudio Sisto - Drums


Website

http://www.mysticprophecy.net


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 10
Total: 9.5 / 10