Spain’s LORDS OF BLACK have returned with the follow-up to 2020’s well received ”Alchemy Of Souls, Part I”. With the downtime created by the global pandemic, the founder Tony Hernando worked incredibly hard to create music that pushed past the boundaries of anything the band had done in the past. The new album is a thematic continuation of the story started on the previous record. ”Alchemy Of Souls, Part II” is for you who like heavier Metal.
Guitarist and songwriter Tony Hernando started the group together with singer Ronnie Romero (RITCHIE BLACKMORE’S RAINBOW, SUNSTORM, ex-VANDENBERG) 2014. After three albums, the work on “Alchemy Of Souls” began. Tony tells that it was one of the most difficult and emotional creations he had ever done. “A very intense and deep journey throughout present and past chapters of my life.” It also became a bumpy road in terms of unexpected turns of events. Romero had a lot of other things going on and left LORDS OF BLACK in early 2019. The band then temporarily brought in the Argentine Heavy Metal singer Diego Valdez. However, Ronnie came back before the disc was recorded, so the time in the band for Valdez ended before it started. He participates as a songwriter on some tracks though, which he wrote together with Hernando.
“Part I” gave us great songs like “Dying To Live Again”, “Deliverance Lost” and the WHITESNAKE/DEEP PURPLE-scented “Tides Of Blood”, as well as the incredibly good “Shadows Kill Twice”. The band’s fifth production is once again mixed by Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN, ex-HELLOWEEN) and the painting on the album cover has also this time been created by Felipe Machado Franco. He is a freelance artist from Colombia, South America, who has worked for several Rock and Metal groups. In addition to the CD format, “Alchemy Of Souls, Part II” is available as a double LP in gold-colored vinyl.
After the intro track, the following “Maker Of Nothingness” really gets everything started. Romero sings in a hoarse, drawn out way, which he basically does throughout the entire record. The guitarist plays a nice solo, which is flowing and lively. “Fated To Be Destroyed” is cool. The verses are heavy as stone and Ronnie’s rough voice goes deep down, which puts him in between ordinary singing and growling. Even if it is not my cup of tea, it is a good composition, which many people probably like.
A creaking bubbly noise from a keyboard in the background, recognizable from its forerunner, comes and goes in a couple of songs on this disc as well. For example, we hear it in one of the best pieces, “What’s Become Of Us”. Hernando comments on the title: “This is a question we should ask. Where are we going and what has brought us here? There are those who invent myths and rewrite history to motivate going the wrong way, and then there are those who instead try to fight for the right reasons and leave a legacy of justice.” The track has a fateful timbre and a fine melody is woven into the heavier tones. Excellent played by all musicians. Like a bridge to the chorus, we hear the chewing from Dani Criado's bass. During a short pause, Ronnie bursts out into a nice Hard Rock scream.
Behind the drum kit we find the Belgian Jo Nunez (FIREWIND), who sometimes plays in a rushing speed. His nice style is strong and bouncing in “Mind Killer”, where the sound from the drums almost feels hopeful in an otherwise gloomy song. Nunez is pumping on with pedals and drum sticks in “Bound To You”, in which the music is overall fast. On top of that lies the melody and singing in a slightly lower tempo, which with a sweeping movement carries the tune forward. A flowing energy makes the listener swing in pace. “In A Different Light” contains an awesome bass drum. I can almost feel the beats pulsate inside my body. The undersigned also likes when the singer opens up the voice more, which he does right at the end.
Tony says about the track “Before That Time Can Come”: “This is a very special song for us. It’s a song about hope and conviction. No matter how far we have to go or how long it takes, after the darkness the light will win.” It is a nicely arranged piece, with an emotional atmosphere, both in music and singing.
Many times the keyboard does not fit, because it becomes too hard and sharp. “Prayers Turned To Whispers” would have been so much better without the pounding on the keys, which unfortunately is a repeating and teasing element that bothers me. Otherwise, it is a good song, with splendid vocal efforts. “No Hero Is Homeless” can be described as modern Heavy Metal. After a calm intro, it suddenly becomes heavy as lead. They accelerate and plow forward with full power. Maybe a little too heavy for me, but I think many will appreciate this one. Considering the band name, this is probably how they should sound and it is very well done. Jo is running on with Speed Metal, but the middle part is a short break with Melodic Metal.
They finish with a cover, “Sympathy”, originally made by URIAH HEEP in 1977. Not a bad song from the beginning, but it got a boost, because LORDS OF BLACK does a much better version. This track is outstanding. Hernando plays a brilliant guitar solo that makes you exhilarated, where the tones seem to compete against each other. The most striking is Ronnie Romero’s voice. At first I thought it was another guy singing, but Tony said it was Ronnie all the way through. It is absolutely amazing what a difference. Romero is truly a skilled singer. On this track the man behind the microphone has a cleaner, brighter voice, which is strong and he nails the high notes more easily than ever. What also fooled me that it was yet another singer involved is that you sometimes hear two voices, but they seem to have made double recordings or dubbed him in the mix, a bit like ABBA did.
One could describe LORDS OF BLACK’s style as Progressive Modern Heavy Metal, with elements of Melodic Power Metal. “Alchemy Of Souls, Part II” was said to be both heavier and darker than the first part. That is right. It is harder, rougher and gloomier, and has an undertone of blackness. However, everything turns around with the last song, which lifts the mood like a sun after a rainy day. The thought is perhaps that sometimes life must first get worse, before it can get better. My interpretation is also that you can think differently and have various opinions, but we must be able to show sympathy and understanding for each other. In total, I experience the previous record as a little bit better, but still recommend you to listen to the new one. (Anna)
Bewertung:
7 / 10
Anzahl der Songs: 13
Spielzeit: 66:07 min
Label: Frontiers Music s.r.l.
Veröffentlichungstermin: 15.10.2021
