Power Metal

REVIEW: Dynazty – Renatus (2014)

Thanks to Jompa Wilmenius for sending us this CD!

scan_20161218DYNAZTY – Renatus (2014 Spinefarm)

Renatus means “rebirth”, but this is the first Dynazty album to have made its way over to LeBrain HQ.  Being our first exposure to the band from Stockholm, what will their rebirth sound like?  Power metal, heavy on the syncopated beats, accented by keyboards and melody.  Like Savatage cranked up to about 15 without any restraint.  The stuttering bass drum can be tiring after a while, as can the bipping and bopping keyboard accents.  The vocalising and guitar solo breaks are absolutely highlights, bringing their sound back from the edge of overkill.

From “Cross the Line” over to “Starlight”, the speed does not let up.  It’s as if you took the fastest songs by Ronnie James Dio, injected them full of caffeine and watched them go.  (Throw in some early Queensryche, too.)  “Dawn of Your Creation” departs slightly from this trajectory but not without a purely-Yngwie lead guitar solo.  “The Northern End” is the first break in the storm, allowing the song to slow down enough for its power to impact.  This defiant anthem is an album highlight.  “Incarnation” too is a little different, bringing back the Savatage on steroids vibe.

There’s a natural spot for a side break right at “Run Amok” which restarts the engines going full speed.  “Unholy Deterrent” might be the most aggressive of the tunes, like the front of the battle lines, stampeding everything in its way and rendering the land burned and scorched behind.  Then, if there is music that backs up an army of Orcs marching out of Mordor, it should be “Sunrise in Hell”.  The lines have formed and the charges are about to begin, and the beats continue to thunder below.  “Salvation” provides the silver lining, a triumphant power rock tune.  Closing on an ominously heavy note, “A Divine Comedy” completes the album without once letting up on the metal assault.

The album sounds technically flawless to the point of sterility, except when it comes to the vocals which have all the edge.  Not a bad album or even a bad sound, just too close to the edge of parody.  There is a very fine line between clever and stupid.  Fortunately Renatus never falls over the edge.  Within its powerful tracks you will find several favourites.  Best of all the album never overstays its welcome.  This is a point more bands need to pay attention to.  Less is often more, especially when you’re as relentlessly heavy as Renatus.

3.5/5 stars

scan_20161218-3

Nils Molin – lead vocals
Rob Love Magnusson – lead guitar
George Egg – drums
Mikael Lavér – lead guitar
Jonathan Olsson – bass

WTF Search Terms: Whole Lotta WTF edition

It’s the regular feature where I reveal weird search terms that somehow led people here.  These are the WTF Search Terms!

WTF Search Terms XVII:  Whole Lotta WTF edition

First up, I don’t think Louis Vuitton makes these yet:

10. louis vuitton bong

Next: a variation of these search terms show up in my stats every day.  Every. Single. Day. (Sometimes, “whores” is spelled “whorez”.)

9. boobsy animation whores wearing glasses acquire screwed
8. film boobsy animation whores wering glasses acquire screwed hardocore versi panjang
7. boobsy animation whores wearing glasses acquire screwed hardcore 4 full animation

I was hoping I would get hits for this eventually, that’s why I tagged it:

6. hatee hatee hatee ho

I have addressed this question so many damn times that I refuse to do it again:

5. did farrel mitchner really die
4. did farrel mitchner actually die in fubar

Sounds delicious, but I have no idea how this guy ended up here:

3. sweet pickle salad + bonus

Nine hits from this one. Nine. Hits.

2. videos da bada white snack

And finally, I have no comment for our #1 search term:

1. lala blah but nugget

Come back soon for more hilarious WTFs!

WTF

REVIEW: PelleK – The Fox (Power Metal version)

By request of Kyle “the Rock” Darrock.

PELLE K – “The Fox” (Power Metal version, 2013)

I never would have heard the original version of this song (by Norwegian comedy duo Ylvis), if Craig Fee didn’t subject his listeners to it one afternoon.  I’d never heard of PelleK before seeing this video of his cover.  I know that he’s a Norwegian metal singer with a fantastic Justin-Hawkins-wide range.  I’ve seen numerous YouTube videos, of PelleK covering a wide variety of songs.  I guess when Ylvis went viral with their irritating but amusing video for “The Fox”, PelleK decided to take a shot at it, too.

Power metal style, of course!

I can’t help it, I’m addicted to PelleK’s take on this annoying novelty track!  I don’t think I’d be exaggerating if I said that this has been played on somebody’s phone at least a dozen times during our lunch hour at work since it came out!  “The Fox” works as a “power metal” version!  Egad!  And PelleK’s incredible pipes lend themselves to some hilarious interpretations of what the Fox does indeed say.  I’m surprised how much I like the heavy guitars and drums on “The Fox”.  I might have to play this in the car, windows down, down on King Street to piss the rapper kids off.

Even if that’s the best thing to come from PelleK’s version of “The Fox”, then it’s still worth:

6/5 stars