|
|
RELIC - TRUST
INDEPENDENT
METAL TO INFINITY
Relic isn't particular new although it was the first time I heard about these guys when I discovered them on the net. Their myspace.com webpage contains a few tracks and they were so convincing I immediately send them a mail to represent Metal To Infinity. A few weeks later this CD is spinning its turns in my player and believe me, I can't stop listening to it. Don't ask me if it is the sixth, seventh or tenth time today, I just can't tell... It proves how addictive the silver disc is and how important it is to hold your attention to my review.
Relic is a special band, creating a bizarre atmosphere around the entourage of this formation. They are playing the kind of music that we heard about thirty years ago and added recent elements to it. Relic stands for medieval dark US style of Metal with a slight progressive touch and often fat fingered guitars, they succeed to make an art out of it! The band also reminds me tot Psychotic Waltz, a contemporary version of Cirith Ungol and they seem to be under the influence of Pink Floyd and Genesis. The arrangements are pretty complex and don't invite the listener to shout along from the beginning until the end. Nevertheless Relic fetters me to my loud playing boxes…it feels good! It's pretty obvious these lads are the masters of their instruments, as it is written on the official website. I can promise you there's more to tell, much more.
First of all there's the stellar musicianship; these rockers own the skills to write songs that keep on playing in your head. As a drug, don't ask me which one, my brains are brainwashed and the symphonic compositions are so strong it seems I'm transferred to another world. Besides this fact Relic completes their powerful songs with a mysterious, even strange but beautiful atmosphere. Because of it we can easily add the word 'epic' to the description of the band. Some awesome enigmatic keyboard parts in the background support my thesis, as well as the wailing acoustic parts. The solos are well played, fast fingered and surrounded in a dark mood, I stay astonished behind. Not that John Mitchell (a.k.a Synesius) is a guitar God but damn, how this warrior pulls the strings with so many emotions is amazing. From the opener 'Mystic Eye' until the 'Castle Guard' song Relic grabs me by the throat, obliging me to be a part of their gloomy musical feast.
Another leading role is predicted for Hal Jarvis or just as we say 'Sorcerer'. His clean, a bit nasal, vocal lines are extraordinary and I bow my head very low for so much talent! Maybe because he reminds me so much of Marc Shelton I have the need to compare Relic with Manilla Road . To be honest I prefer Relic because their song writing is stronger and they're adding much more emotional ingredients into their arrangements. Besides these arguments they have a more modern touch in their music and each song impresses me more. Don't let me say that Relic is a clone of Manilla Road, the godfathers of epic US Metal, but allow me to worship these guys.
Although I was expecting all the albums (3) from the band, I only received this one. That's a pity, I'm going to buy the others anyway, but owning this masterpiece is making me proud. Believe me it is almost impossible to find this gem in the European stores, on the Internet it can be found. The best thing to do is to surf to their websites at: http://www.myspace.com/relicscastlecom or http://www.relicskastle.com My Points: 92/100 (review by Officer Nice)