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Let me start this review in an unorthodox and "modest" way. The new Metalium is amazing because I say so. What? And who am I to say so? Who do I think I am? No it's nothing like that. I'm neither crazy nor pretend to be a "mr. know-it-all" in metal. No, no, nothing like that. It's just a phrase my best friend uses when I point him a good release from an up-to-now humdrum, according to my tastes, band. To avoid any misunderstandings though, let me clear things out.
Never have I implied that Metalium is a bad band. In fact it's one the most recognizable, known and true to its cause modern metal acts. It's just that I believe its music to be too common and overplayed through the years. I like every Metalium release, then again I listen to none. Even Chapter VI's predecessor, that was an album I really enjoyed, hasn't been on my cd player for at least a year. I admit that Chapters 1, 2 are at least impressive, but I can't listen to more than 5 tracks in a row these days.
So, when I gave Chapter
Six a spin it was like I was struck
by lightning. My mouth formed a big
"O" in surprise and I couldn't
believe how easily it sent me into
a trance. It may be the first time
a Metalium album blows my speakers
almost everyday. It's nothing like
I discovered America. The band neither
changed their style nor added something
truly innovative in their sound. This
time however the German quartet put
together a stronger, more powerful
and more solid release in every aspect.
There's a wide selection of riffs,
tempos and sounds all embraced by
a breathtaking production, bearing
however the trademark Metalium sound.
The up-tempo diamonds "Spirits"
and "Straight into Hell"
will definitely melt your brain, so
Metalium will give the chance to pull
yourself together with the mid-tempo
masterpiece "Mental Blindness"
(my favorite here) and the slow, ballad-like
"Was Home". "Heroes
Failed" as well has a very good
impact on me due to its catchy refrain,
the steady riffage and its up-tempo
rhythm. The band's performance throughout
the 45 minutes of duration is simply
amazing and I was really impressed
with Henning Basse's interpretation,
especially on the Queen cover "Show
must go on" though skin-deep
as a cover and the only weak moment
of the album.
In conclusion, "Nothing to Undo: Chapter Six" is the new exiting release from a band that if anything, they are sincere, true, devoted to its fans, offering pure metal tunes in a straight-in-your-face way and not by way of a fanfaronade. I can't do anything, but proclaim it as a contender for my 2007 top 20 list, albeit it's still too early to do so!!
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