Astral Kingdom - Into The Fire

Published January 11 2008

*=Staff's pick	Son Of The Stars For The Damned* Into The Fire For Eternity*

Genre	Power Metal	Robert Nilsson	Vocals
Tracks	4	Robert Nilsson	Guitar
Runningtime	16 Min.	-	Guitar
Label		Per Fredin	Bass
Release	2007	Peter Fredin	Drums
Country	Sweden	Thor Olssson	Keyboard
Similar artists	Helloween, Gamma Ray

This is the second demo from Västerås' Astral Kingdom. The influences from bands like Helloween and Gamma Ray still shine through in melodies and choruses, but the songs feel a bit more varied on this one. Last time, on the demo Power Metal Through The Universe, I had some doubts about Robert Nilsson's voice. It still cracks in the higher tones from time to time (especially in Son Of The Stars), and I would want some more stomach force behind it. But although there still is a lot to work on it has been a tremendous change for the better since the last time. It actually sounds great here and there when he really tries to put that force into it and the lower tones are much stronger now.

Son Of The Stars is a bit anonymous as a starter. For The Damned on the other hand is not that far from something Kai Hansen could have put together - a melodic and catchy, yet hard rocking track. The falsetto screams are cool in a kind of nerdy way. Into The Fire has a simple and direct melody that reminds a lot about Hammerfall. The dramatic ballad For Eternity is a strong composition where Nilsson comes to his best with some sensitive lines. There is some hard work left for the guys to reach that extra notch, but they have the foundational feeling for songwriting. All that is needed in that area is that extra original hook that will give them the deal.

See also review of: The Astral Kingdom , Power Metal Through The Universe

Performance	Originality	Production	Vocals	Songwriting
6	3	6	5	6

Summary
6 chalices of 10 - David