Raising Fear - Mythos

*=Staff's pick	Thorr* Theseus Fenrier Montezuma Merlin* The Goddess Charon Ocasta* Gilgamesh* Angel Witch

Genre	Heavy Metal	Rob DF	Vocals
Tracks	10	Alberto Toniolo	Guitar
Runningtime	59 Min.	Yorick	Guitar
Label	SPV	Frana	Bass
Release	07 Feb. 2005	Cristian Galimberti	Drums
Country	Italy	-	Keyboards
Similar artists	---

Raising Fear is a new band hailing from Italy, and have chosen a more down to earth route than what we are used to with bands from this region. Their music can best be described as leaning more toward a more straight and midtempo version of White Skull and a less epic Domine.

The concept is simple: down to earth, classic heavy metal with some thrash elements, with focus on riffs and a distinct bridge and chorus. So far so good, and the individual musicians are all performing well, but the problem is that the material does not reach all the way. While there are quite a few peaks, consisting of quite a few nice riffs and leads and catchy hooks, it is obvious that they lack real songwriting skills. It feels a bit indecisive and shattered, and the are some parts in almost every song that serve as mere transport between the good stuff. They also surprise by delivering really nice parts (Merlin, Ocasta, Gilgamesh) based on the simplest ingredients one minute, to fall flat doing the same the next minute.

The vocals are not really suitable for the music either. This more heavier metal they play does not benefit from the typical "italian" kind of vocals present here, with a high pitched vocalist which, in true italian style, slip a bit on the notes and have a pronunciation that is a bit questionable. This would benifit quite a bit from even more rougher vocals. The rhythm section and the lead guitar are showing that they know what they are doing, but until next time I wish for even a bit more pondus and power behind it. Almost too late, during the last part of the album, it starts to take form, and that is at least a good sign for what might come in the future, since the finishing two songs (not including the cover Angel With) are the heaviest and consequently among the best, containing some good riffing close to Grave Digger in some parts.

It can only get better from here, since the ability is evidently there. It might just take another album before they have found their identity and have learned to pick out the best pieces and make something delicious out of it.

Production	Vocals	Compositions
7	5	5,5

Summary
5,5 chalices of 10 - Tommy