Artist: Labyrinth
Label: Metal Blade
Release Date: 1/23/01
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Title: Sons of Thunder Artist: Labyrinth Label: Metal Blade Release Date: 1/23/01 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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3 | ||
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4 | ||
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Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
Labyrinth are just about as power metal as you can get, and take on all of the good and bad qualities that go along with the genre. Like most power metal bands, they are capable players, and take what they do quite seriously. Let’s face it, there are less posers in power metal than in all of the other metal genres because it’s just not hip enough to lure in those who aren’t pure at heart. This is one reason why, although the genre isn’t my favorite, I have a great deal of respect for these guys as a group. They embrace everything that is metal, no matter how cheesy or stereotypical, and fly the banner proudly.
"While I don’t think that the melodies are as strong as the big boys’ in the genre, they are definitely above par." The setup here is nothing new. A twin, melodic guitar attack that keeps the songs running for the falsetto vocals, combined with a rhythm section that is competent but also mostly ignored. The song structures on this vary from the normal verse chorus verse chorus bridge chorus, that predominates these bands, but the vocals are pleasing enough to invoke the familiarity and security that such compositions accomplish. And while I don’t think that the melodies are as strong as the big boys’ in the genre (Iced Earth, Blind Guardian, Hammerfall) they are definitely above par.
The vocals have an emotional tone and regardless of lyrical content, convey somberness within. I also like their use of harmonies, even though there’s really nothing very unique about them. The album does have a lot of dueling solos between keyboards and guitar, and for the most part they just get on my nerves, but some of them are pretty interesting and all are well played. Musicians will probably love these parts.
I think most fans of power metal will be quite satisfied with this album, and while it’s far from the best I’ve heard, it’s a pleasant listen (well, the ballad “Love” is pretty annoying) for the most part. I’m definitely interested in what their next few albums will evolve into.
Death's Review:
To me, “power metal” loosely divides into six camps. First, like the NFL’s AFC and NFC, I see power metal splitting into two conferences: American and European. Sure, there is some interleague play, but, for the most part, a band’s geographic origin serves as a major categorical divide. Second, like a sports league, the conferences are each broken down into smaller divisions. If a newspaper was to print the standings it might look something like this:WORLD POWER METAL LEAGUE STANDINGS
As of February 7, 2001
American Conference Odd Time Signature Division
Dream Theater 9-1
Fates Warning 8-2
Planet X 5-5Denim & Leather Division
Crimson Glory 7-3
Steel Prophet 6-4
Jag Panzer 4-6Neckbrace Division
Nevermore 10-0
Iced Earth 8-2
Control Denied 7-3European Conference Wizards and Bards Division
Blind Guardian 4-6
Demons & Wizards 4-6
Skyclad 1-9Fighting For Metal Division
Primal Fear 7-3
Hammerfall 4-6
Grave Digger 0-10Spacey Album Cover Art Division
Stratovarius 6-4
Helloween 5-5
Gamma Ray 5-5
So now you know what I mean when I tell you that if Labyrinth was to become an expansion entry next season, you would start to hear a strong public outcry for a wholesale realignment. Labyrinth (from Italy) clearly belong in the European conference, however, certain aspects clearly mimic the American conference’s Neckbrace –style of play, together with the occasional atmosphere of something right out of the Odd Time Signature Division ‘s arsenal. Labyrinth sound like Crimson Glory, Stratovarius, and Helloween and Dream Theater, all wrapped up into one. Perhaps we should just create a new Maze Division (a maze of some sort is on each of the band’s album covers) just for Labyrinth and call it a day.
Anyhow, playing within the existing structure, I’d toss Labyrinth in the F.F.M. Division, with . . . say, a 5-5 record. Not bad, not great. Labyrinth have a mildly unique sound, at times appealing to the Queensryche fan in me, at others boring the piss out of me with redundant European mindless melodicism and droning classic rock radio piano ballads. The overall reaction is kinda average. Don’t get me wrong, vocalist Rob Tyrant has a skilled voice (sometimes sounding like Ray Alder from Fates Warning, sometimes sounding like the dude from Warrant or Don Dokken or something). There are cool, dark sounding keys (the beginning to “Chapter 1”) but there are far too many indulgent piano passages that evoke Savatage but lack Paul O’Neil’s songwriting prowess and Jon Oliva’s soul.
"Good stuff, a little too cheesy at times." Overall, the majority of Sons of Thunder holds no emotion for me. The guitars are skilled, and occasional flourishes of neoclassical sweeps are scattered throughout the record. “Save Me” has a riff that pops up here and there and reminds me of a cross between Helloween and old Fates Warning and newer In Flames or something. But overall, Labyrinth isn’t really as cool as all that sounds. The musicians are talented, the songs are adequate and the style is undeniably metal, however, the impression I’m left with is relatively bland nonetheless. Good stuff, a little too cheesy at times, and now all I’ve taken away from my examination is a desire to hear the hidden cover of Sanctuary’s “Die for My Sins” supposedly found on Labyrinth’s 1999 Timeless Crime EP.
Hel's Review:
Power metal albums are always concept albums, aren’t they? Sure, I know they aren’t all, but so many are that it is practically cliché. So when I first heard Sons of Thunder and found myself thinking, “This sounds like a concept album,” I dismissed the notion immediately. I assumed I was stereotyping, and, upon closer examination, I think there may be some stereotyping going on here after all, and it isn’t on my part.
"Power metal albums are always concept albums, aren’t they?" I finally broke down and looked at the book, something I have to find time to do and, therefore, goes undone more often than I’d like. But I decided I needed to torture our Webmaster a bit for the sake of my “art” tonight, and I did it anyway. It turns out that there is a story - supposedly based upon Louie the XIV. An odd little tale, and one that, while clarifying that it is indeed a concept album and what that concept is, does not redeem the inherent weaknesses of the record.
It’s shit like the beginning of “Save Me” which prevents me from wholly embracing this record. What the hell is that? Over-the-top I’d say, and they certainly do seem go there from time to time. And speaking of over-the-top - these lyrics are just too ungodly sappy… I know it is an attempt to evoke the emotions of the characters in the story, but does it have be so corny? And oh, oh, I almost forgot about “Love” - that shit sounds waay too much like the Backdoor Boys or some crap for my comfort.
"These lyrics are just too ungodly sappy." Whew - good to get that out of my system. And now I can proceed to tell you that the parts that are not cheesy are awesome. Labyrinth’s strength is in their riffs and technicality. When they are on, they are on, and those moments when it all falls into place are moments that rival the best of bands like Fates Warning and Dream Theater. It doesn’t happen enough, but the ultimate bottom line here is that Sons of Thunder is a super record if you don’t mind a bit of cheese mixed in your power metal.
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