Escape Music (2009)

Fourth album for this multi-national power metal troop, led by guitarist Henrik Flyman of Denmark. Continuing on with singer Apollo Papathanasio (he of Firewind fame also), the rhythm section comes from Sweden’s Mind’s Eye battery of bassist Johan Niemann and drummer Daniel Flores and “Fade To Black” produces an excellent slice of Rainbow meets Malmsteen-led neo classical melodic metal. The songwriting is tight, keeping extraneous wankery to a minimum and instead relying on the theatrical melodies of Apollo (where he melds the best of Dio and Bonnet on tracks like “In A Dungeon Close To Hell” or “Powertools”). There are modest amounts of keyboards sprinkled about these 10 songs, as well as a guest appearance from Tony Carey providing a lead solo moment following up Flyman on the opening blockbuster “Lights Out”.

Guitar hero metal sits well with these ears - as there’s plenty of storylines to follow from each and every playback. You’ll get soaring melodies, axe runs that rival the best in the business, a jumbo box side of double bass kit technique and mystical/ fantasy laden imagery and lyrical landscapes. The closest Apollo track to his work with Firewind would be the addictive “The Darkness Within”- containing the smooth as silk chorus that should keep his status as one of the best young vocal talents at the top of the heap. Henrik uses Middle Eastern chord phrasing within the epic closer “I Believe In Sin” - a wider open effort that allows each musician to explore their more emotive abilities, wrenching out deeper, darker feelings with quiet interludes and occasional growling vocal parts.

I would describe “Fade To Black” overall as a modern take on the tried and true Dio/ Blackmore era Rainbow days- as you’ll gain the occasional old school Hammond organ vibe but balanced with the current production technology at the band’s disposal. A step up from the very good “Third Act”, Evil Masquerade should garner more adulation and attention as a result of this killer potent platter.

www.evilmasquerade.com  
www.escape-music.com  

Composed by Matt Coe