(Rated this album with 10 out of 10) Reviewed by
live4metal
from El Segundo, CA. United States
Anyone already familiar with Tobias Sammet and his band Edguy and side project Avantasia already knows this dude is one of the most talented metal musicians to come along in awhile. Mandrake was Edguy's last album,and it was great.This one is better. The first thing you'll notice is the rawer,heavier sound Tobias has opted for on this one.I mean take away the clean vocals and some of the songs sound thrash.You doubt me,well check out the bonus version of Mysteria with Mille Petrozza of KREATOR sharing vocal duties,how's that 4thrash! Like alot of U reading this I picked up the King of Fools E.P..I Thought,good stuff,but nothing new.Maybe Hellfire Club will be average.WRONG! The track King of Fools is one of the weaker songs on this bad boy,and that's saying something.Down To The Devil,Navigator and the 10:07 epic The Piper Never Dies( my favorite from the album ) all smoke KOF!One quick note:The track Piper Never Dies seems to be skipping on alot of peoples copies,to the point of recall and replacement.My copie plays fine.I've got the one with Children of Steel and Mysteria alternate version as bonus tracks.Don't know if that means anything. Don't let that stop you though,you gotta hear this.Not many bands are making kick ass traditional metal like this anymore. I know any fans of Maiden,Kamelot,Savatage,or Helloween would really love this album.So much power,so much melody,a perfect metal masterpiece.My favorite by a mile so far this year. Oh yeh,did I mention that the whole band is on FIRE on this one! Crank it!
