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Savage Circus - Of Doom And Death

Published October 27 2009


*
=Staff's pick

Of Doom And Death*
The Ordeal*
Devil's Spawn
Chasing The Rainbow
Empire
Ballad Of Susan*
Legend Of Leto II
From The Ashes*
Dreamland


Genre Power Metal
Jens Carlsson
Vocals
Tracks 9
Piet Sielck
Guitar
Runningtime 58 Min.
Emil Norberg
Guitar
Label Dockyard1
Yenz Leonhardt
Bass
Release 26 October 2009
Mike Teranna
Drums
Country Sweden/Germany
-
Keyboard
Similar artists Blind Guardian, Persuader

Well you all should know what it sounds like. The sacking of Thomen Stauch has not at all affected the main mission of Savage Circus - to recreate the old and lost Blind Guardian sound. With Jens Carlsson's Hansi Kürsch-sound-alike voice on top of that it could still be easily mistaken for being the original here and there. But the band has a point in that there is an empty space to fill these days, when Blind Guardian themselves have moved on (and for that matter - kept silent for quite a while).

Actually I'm more concerned about what space there will be left for Persuader creatively. But that will show when they release their new record early next year, I guess. Of course, if you never heard of Blind Guardian, but dig the Savage Circus debut Dreamland Manor, you will still recognise the sound.

The title track sets the record straight right away. Of Doom And Death is a speedy thing with high melodic feeling and a lot of choirs. The Ordeal is slightly slower and more progressive, with more different passages of solos and tempo shifts, but still with a catchy chorus. A couple of tracks follow in or in between the same vein as above, but with a bit less lasting impressions. Empire could eventually grow to another favourite though, because of its distinct chorus.

Then we arrive at my favourite track, that is Ballad Of Susan. On one hand it stands out most - being a ballad and all - but on the other hand Jens Carlsson here shows that he even manages to impersonate Hansi Kürsch's lower and more melodic voice which makes it even more of a Blind Guardian replica. It is stunning to compare it to for example Spread Your Wings. The grand finale (the closing instrumental Dreamland aside) From The Ashes is another chorus monster that just sticks like a half made dough.

Since the promo is a download I will not draw too many conclusions on the sound, but it feels a bit compressed and stuffy to be a Piet Sielck production. Anyway, to conclude, another great album which follows its predestined path with dignity. But maybe a bit too predictable in the end, although very skilfully performed. I cannot help missing a bit of a soul. I wouldn't say that it necessarily is Thomen as a person or musician who is missing, but a bit of an honest band identity. Maybe it will be there if the band finally gets out to play live in a more regular manner.

See also review of: Dreamland Manor

Performance
Originality
Production
Vocals
Songwriting

8

6

5

9

7

 
Summary



7,5 chalices of 10 - David


Related links:

www.savage-circus.com
www.myspace.com/savagecircus