So true are Feanor to their Metal calling that they've managed to get Ross The Boss of Manowar, the true Metal legends, to guest on the album.
Dust off your loin cloth because it's time for some true Metal from Argentina. Raise your broadsword and give a manly cheer! So true are Feanor to their Metal calling that they've managed to get Ross The Boss of Manowar, the true Metal legends, to guest on the album. This is the third offering from the boys from Buenos Aires, but it's their first sung wholly in English which suggests they've got an eye on trying to conquer beyond the Spanish speaking borders. They've done their homework and cover a number of Metal bases.
The title track, which if I'm honest is a bit of a disappointment, has a touch of Judas Priest and Manowar about it, but it doesn't make you clutch your chest proudly in honour of Metal quite the way it should. It doesn't have the élan that some of those new wave of NWOBHM bands such as White Wizzard and Enforcer have. Elsewhere, they give us slow rumbling riffs, as on 'Ëol The Dark', epic Viking sounding fare on 'Ëarendil The Sailor' and fast galloping riffs on 'The Discipline Of Steel' and 'Crying Games' (which the mighty Tony Martin guests on).
'In The Darkness' has a darker riff which works well, but the song is slightly marred by some dodgy harmonies. The epic Metal of 'Dagor Nuin Giliath' goes from an acoustic intro ('The Water Garden') to a big riff and a serrated-edged solo from Walter "The Scorpion" Hernández. The record closes with the ambitious 'The Epic Of Gilgamesh Pt1' which builds and fires out rapid riffs throughout a tale that suggests there's more to come in the future.
The guitar work is proficient, but it huffs and puffs when you compare it to some of the technically assured playing in a lot of modern Metal. Vocalist Sven D'Anna you might just recognise from German Power Metallers Wizard. He's got the prerequisite voice, all raspy and tough, but capable of doing those shrill Heavy Metal screams too, and he sings like he means every metal-plated word. I have to say, he sounds better on the Wizard albums somehow and is better suited to their heavier sound. The production is good though and snaring a deal with the German Metal label Massacre ensures that they're going to get the chance to prove themselves over here in Europe. Let's hope they're up to the fight.