The Summary Judgment Review:
Title: Rooms of Anguish
Artist: Power of Omens
Label: Metal Ages Records
Release Date: 2/03

Rating: 4 Skulls
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    • Reviewed by Zilla (4/9/04):
    Power of Omens released one hell of a debut album in 1998 with Eyes of the Oracle, pleasing progheads, techheads and metalheads alike. Eyes of the Oracle was technical as hell, yet didn't wank off so much that you forgot there were good songs to go along with the technical feel of the CD.

    Rooms of Anguish was actually supposed to come out a couple of years ago, but major label difficulties prevented a prompt release. Upstart label Metal Ages Records was finally able to work out a deal with the band and has now released this monster upon the world. Not too shabby a release for their first!

    Listening to Rooms of Anguish is a daunting task. All the technical majesty of Eyes of the Oracle is still present, maybe even turned up a notch or two. Guitarist Dave Gallego is amazing and his flamenco playing on "Calm Before the Storm" will floor any shred fan. Chris Salinas' vocals are still very Geoff Tate-esque, and as over used as that comparison is, it's the truth. Other than Chris' highs having a different tone, this is Geoff's twin. Guess that would explain his stint as lead vocalist for Queensrÿche Tribute band Mindcrime... hmm.

    The one thing that I just can't seem to get over is drummer Alex Arellano. This guy is amazing, without a doubt. He's so complex though, so over the top with different fills and rhythms that it seems to clash too much with the rest of the instruments. At times, it doesn't bug me at all, at others I'm finding myself thinking, "Now that, my friends, is the definition of excessive!" I remember a friend describing Alex's drumming as, "the sound of dropping your drum kit down the stairs." It's cool at times, just not all the damn time, ya know?

    Rooms of Anguish is a CD that is not easily absorbed, so if you need a CD to have an immediate impact, look elsewhere. If you like a CD that you can come back to time and time again and find something completely different with each listen, then this is your kind of metal. Two word description: Dauntingly epic.
    4 out of 5

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