Today the Spanish Metal band LORDS OF BLACK releases their fourth album "Alchemy Of Souls, Part I", on Frontiers Music. Here we find influences from JUDAS PRIEST and BLACK SABBATH, with elements of QUEENSRYCHE and DIO.
The group was founded by the singer Ronnie Romero (VANDENBERG, RITCHIE BLACKMORE’s RAINBOW) and the guitarist Tony Hernando. Their vision was to form a Heavy Metal band with a modern approach, blended with catchy, melodic and progressive elements. The self-titled debut record came in 2014, which was co-produced by Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN, ex-HELLOWEEN). The work together continued and led to the acclaimed sequel "Lords Of Black II" (2016). Many live performances were made, but after the latest "Icons Of The New Days" (2018), the singer took a pause. During 2019, he participated on VANDENBERG's comeback album, which was released in May 2020. When Tony presented what he had wrote for the upcoming "Alchemy Of Souls", Ronnie wanted to continue being a part of LORDS OF BLACK. The position as bass guitarist has changed over the years, but since 2017 Dani Criado has handled that instrument. Newcomer this year is the drummer, who is none other than the skilled Jo Nunez (FIREWIND).
The guitar intro in the opening song "Dying To Live Again" is super nice. Keyboards and drums help to build an expectant atmosphere. Cool acceleration by Hernando on the strings, with skidding tones, which then become calm and melodic in the pleasant solo. Nunez is pumping on behind his drums, in a lovely pace. He has a fantastic energy in the drumbeats.
In the background of "Into The Black" a drawn-out, creaking keyboard sound is heard. Sometimes, as in this piece, there will be some Speed Metal. With a tremendous rapidity, especially by the guitarist, it reminds me of DRAGONFORCE. Personally I think that the quality does not get better just because you play as fast as possible, but it is done playfully easy by Tony. "Sacrifice" is a fun flashback to the eighties, here and there updated with a modern touch of course. It is a cool and delightful song, with a very pleasant bass and more of those bubbling, running guitar tones.
Very varied is the interesting composition "Shadows Kill Twice". The first third is instrumental. Beautiful piano playing is heard in the beginning, followed by guitar. After that it turns and becomes very heavy, which bass, as well as drums strongly contribute to. A tangible feeling of JUDAS PRIEST is especially noticeable here.
The title track comes second to last and is as long as ten minutes. However, the length is not something you reflect on so much. Acoustic guitar, with a Spanish accent on the tones, gives a warm and nice mood in the start. Then the music becomes extremely heavy, dramatic and with a dark shadow over it. A moment later, the same fine melody is heard as in the beginning, but now instead played on the piano. After that, guitar solos and singing alternate. Ronnie has a very nice voice when he relaxes, which we can hear a good example of here. The tone gets much better than when the guy uses a hoarse screaming-style, because then it unfortunately sounds a little too strained. In "Brightest Star" for example, Romero also tries a deeper voice, but it does not really hold. The song becomes much better when he sings in his normal way again.
The production ends with the very short "You Came To Me (Piano Version)". I think of it as a long outro or maybe a cliffhanger before the next record. Considering the addition in the album title, there should be coming a "Part II" in the future.
There is a good cooperation in the whole group, but you can most of all hear an excellent teamwork between guitarist and bassist. LORDS OF BLACK was a new discovery and they surprised me by being much better than expected. "Alchemy Of Souls" maintains a steady level and is a very good material. (Anna)
Bewertung:
7,5 / 10
Anzahl der Songs: 11
Spielzeit: 57:30 min
Label: Frontiers Music s.r.l.
Veröffentlichungstermin: 06.11.2020
