Bandemonic - Fires of Redemption

"Fires of Ambition"


The Greek heavy metal band, Bandemonic is ready with their debut album after the well performed 2012 EP, Chains. This time around the band aimed high and have put a lot of effort into their first full-length and now it's time to see how that went.

The album starts off with what many albums from newer bands starts off with these days. Some kind of instrumental track to make it sound exciting, big and like it has a big production. I think those kind of intros are as redundant as can be, and Fires of Redemption (the track) would have fitted perfect as a mid-section in a song. The album takes a turning point when The Awakening comes on because that's just a fantastic song. It's well written, sounds awesome, great solo and it has the harmonic guitars that the old school heavy metal is known for. I'm happy to see that survive on this album as it also features more power metal influence than their EP, and power metal is not something I'm into at all. After three good songs we reach my second highlight of this album, Guardians of Time. Bandemonic fucking shines when it comes to ballads, which they showed already on their Chains EP. The song is not a minute too long or too short, and it manages to raise the hair on my forearms. It manages to stay fresh with some harder moments in the song and they balanced it out just the way it's supposed to be. I hope they can continue to bash out more beautiful songs like this in the future. The closing track, The Seeker, is a re-recording and I definitely don't mind that at all. It's probably their best track so far, so it's a joy to listen to it with better production and better vocal delivery.

The album is without a doubt more ambitious than their EP. The production is definitely better than earlier but it was a mixed bag for me in the beginning. Sometimes I just thought it sounded too clean and modern but after a few listens it mellowed out. All of the instruments are really clear, audible and kicking. It's good to see a young new band with the production on their side. The vocals of George Manthos is much better this time around as well and he lays down a better performance than he did on the EP. But what doesn't thrills me on this record is the more present power metal elements. It's one of those genres that I'm just not into and probably never will be, so I hope it won't take over their future music. Even though it's not really a decision of mine, a fella is allowed to hope.

Despite the production there's still a couple of songs that doesn't strike through and sticks with you. That being said there's still some really good highlights on this album even though one of them is a re-recording, it's still one hell of a track. If you even gained the slightest interest in Bandemonic I'd strongly recommend you get your hands on their Chains EP. At the end of the day Fires of Redemption manages to retain my excitement for this band's future and I'm looking forward to see what these talented young Greeks comes up with next!

Rating

7.7

Bandemonic - Chains

"I'm Here to Make You Remember..."


Greece is really gearing up with metal bands and one of the latest bands to make an appearance is Bandemonic. They're a heavy metal band from the city of Ioannina and they have made their first impact with Chains which features songs from their 2010 demo plus two new tracks. And you are in for a treat!

I really hope this EP is an example of the way the band will continue in the years to come. It is a trip back to the 80's as soon as you put on "The Seeker", that song is easily the most catchy one on the album together with "Nightmare", and that actually leads me onto the album itself. As I already said it is a trip back the 80's and that is clear as soon as the thunder clears from the short intro in "The Seeker" and continues into the title track. Though it is modern times we live in, the EP's production is not clumsy or overproduced in any way. George Manthos' vocals are brilliant and fits the music perfectly, from the ballads to the up-tempo songs his vocals, the music, the production is like a puzzle that has been perfectly assembled.
Though this is a six track album there is actually two ballads on the album in the likes of "Don't Regret... Just Regret" which actually a beautiful song. The other ballad is "Sail to Heaven", and the song that comes after that is "Hunting Illusions", which also starts out with a ballad feel to it. On my first listen that was a lot to take in, as the EP is not that long I thought it was a lot of ballads to pack on one EP. But "Hunting Illusions" breaks into a heavy metal double pedal drumming menace in the halfway through the track, and that was just what I needed!

What really sprung into my eyes was the cover and the logo. Now that it is the centre of attention, the cover actually describes the album pretty good. On one half we got the ballads and on the other half the... non ballads. I've been using that word a lot already in this review but make no mistake. The other songs on the album "makes up" for it. Personally I don't mind the ballads, it is all about being in the right mood. However songs like "Nightmare", "The Seeker" and "Chains" is bound to get you in a old school metal mood, and they will not let you down.

So how to sum up this experience? For many I guess it will be a 50-50 album since there is the slower songs and the heavy metal frenzy. But all the songs fit each other well, so it is far from a dull experience. Personally I don't adventure much into heavy metal, I usually keep to some sub-genres. I guess that it what makes Bandemonic so refreshing, together with the quality of this release of course. To be honest I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this band and their next releases, plus I must admit this band has together with War Device opened my eyes for the Greek metal scene, and I sure as hell will keep my eyes on it! So if you want a quality piece of heavy metal with excellent sound and a great vocalist, then get your hands on Chains!

"Roll the dice, don't be afraid!"

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Rating

8.3