Mesmerize - Off The Beaten Path


Year of Release: 2002
Label: Dragonheart
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 55:41:00

Did Iron Maiden release a new album that I wasn't aware of? Hmmm.... no, it's just Mesmerize's new album. That's not a negative comment, as the guys clearly have Iron Maiden as their biggest influence and they are not ashamed to show it. Their front man, Folco Orlandini, is already known for his work on Time Machine's Act II: Galileo as well as Khali and maybe that's why some fans of the singer will be surprised whilst listening to his own band. There's not a lot of progressive touches in Mesmerize's music; in fact, what you'll get is simply a pure tribute to 80s metal.

Often in Mesmerize's songs you'll find this galloping guitar and bass sound which Steve Harris from Iron Maiden made so popular, but somehow the band have managed to put enough originality in their music to not sound too much like a simple rip-off band. They pay tribute to their influences instead of copying them. This is the second album of the band and despite the fact the songs are more polished, they could have put more effort into the mixing process, which lacks a lot in the final mastering. The sound is way too low, which makes the album lose a lot of their power potential. The main highlight of the album is for sure the stellar performance of Folco Orlandini, backed by very strong musicians who know how to write and play good heavy metal songs.

If you liked their first album then you won't be disappointed with this one, but if I had only one advice to give them, it's to put less money in the packaging (great digi-pak!) and invest in a stronger production, which would help them get out of the bunch and become a reference in the Italian metal scene.

Similar To: Iron Maiden, Metalium, Tierra Santa

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
Argos Died Twice (5:38) / King Of Terror (4:03) / Off The Beaten Path (5:45) / Jail TV (4:05) / Warriors (When The Battle Calls) (7:34) / Pit Of Charming Snakes (5:56) / Where Skye Meets The Sea (7:15) / Doom Of The Darksword (5:23) / The Ancient Prophecy (1:11) / Overdoze (4:44) / Gates Of Mercy (4:10)

Musicians:
Folco Orlandini - vocals
Piero Paravidino - guitars
Andrea Tito - bass
Andrea Garavaglia - drums

Discography:
Tales Of Wonder (1998)
Vultures Paradise (2002)
Off The Beaten Path (2002)

Genre: Other

Origin IT

Added: January 17th 2005
Reviewer: Mathieu Chamberland
Score:
Artist website: www.mesmerize.it
Hits: 1828
Language: english

  

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