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Mystic Prophecy - Savage Souls


*
=Staff's pick

Shadows Beyond My Soul*
Master Of Sin
Evil Empires
Savage Souls*
In The Darkness
Deception Of Hate
Sins And Sorrows*
Best Days Of My Life
Nightmares Of Demon*
Victim Of Fate
Into The Fire


Genre Dark Heavy/Power Metal
R.D. Liapakis
Vocals
Tracks 11
Markus Pohl
Guitar
Runningtime 60 Min.
Martin Grimm
Guitar
Label Massacre Records
Martin Albrecht
Bass
Release 24 Feb. 2006
Matthias Straub
Drums
Country Germany
-
Keyboards
Similar artists Bloodbound, Primal Fear, Brainstorm

When Mystic Prophecy put out their fourth album with Savage Souls there have been some dramatic changes within the band. The only remaining members are vocalist Lipases and bass player Albrecht, since drummer Dennis Ekdahl left in favour of his other band Raise Hell and guitarist Gus G. left to spend more time with Firewind. But rest assured that the sound of Mystic Prophecy is still a familiar sound.

Mystic Prophecy is labelled as dark heavy power metal, and I guess that is to separate them from what people generally consider as power metal (European, that is) and not refer to Mystic Prophecy as just another power metal band. And it is actually a rather suiting description since with speed and partly catchy melodies they do have much in common with that kind of metal, although the music is more based on heavy riffs and comes out more as straight and melodic heavy metal. A mix of US and European power metal to cut it in short. Shadows Beyond My Soul is a speedy opener in a heavy fashion but still within the realms of what could be called power metal, not least with the catchy refrain. A great opener as well as it is one of the better tracks on the album.

The title track Savage Souls is another favourite that goes in mid-tempo with a powerful marching rhythm and goes on with a great flow all through the song and gives you an uplifting feeling. Most songs come with a good flow and it is easy to both listen as well as to take the songs in, but some of them float by a bit too easily and they don't make any bigger impression. Best Days Of My Life is one of those for instance, it is basically a really cheesy song well disguised with double-keg drumming and heavy riffs, but peel of the onion all that is left is a mediocre and rather standard heavy metal track. The songs In The Darkness and Sins And Sorrows show a much better side of Mystic Prophecy as they are more varied and more complex compositions. Another song worthy of mentioning is Nightmares Of Demon where they have pushed hard on the heavy button, a powerful hard hitting track where the US power metal shines through at its most.

That Gus G has left the band can be heard, not that these guys are not capable, but his kind of personal style is a bit out of the ordinary and that is not the case with the guitars on Savage Souls. But I am not saying that they are band in anyway, because they most definitely are not. While I am listening to the album I like most of the tracks and I surely enjoy listening to them, but they don't get me out my seat for spontaneous headbanging so to speak. Savage Souls from Mystic Prophecy is an album that you can easily recommend but nothing that you run and wake up your buddies for.

See also review of: Regressus

Production
Vocals
Compositions

7

7

6

 
Summary



6 chalices of 10 - Thomas

Related links:

www.mysticprophecy.com