Pand?monium - And The Runes Begin To Pray


Year of Release: 1999
Label: Underground Symphony
Catalog Number: USCD 035
Format: CD
Total Time: 40:32:00

Pandæmonium is an Italian 5-piece playing melodic power/speed metal and is another addition to the ever-growing list of Italian metal bands. Originally formed back in 1995, Pandæmonium formed from the ashes of the thrash band Mad Faith.

Although being very guitar-dominated, And The Runes Begin To Pray is heavily influenced by folk and classical elements. You can easily draw parallels to Rhapsody, Blind Guardian and bands of that ilk. You can hear choirs, acoustic passages and interludes, flutes, etc. and musically, this is very good. All band members shine on their respective instruments, especially the guitarists. There are many cool ideas and themes to be found here, but the squeaky, high-pitched vocals might ruin the experience for some. The production is average and should have had more depth and power.

The band is clearly very talented, especially their musical skills. They are definitely on to something here, but miss the little extra something that raises them above the crowd. If they could work just a little bit more on the songwriting and improve the vocals, the next release could absolutely be killer. The qualities are definitely there. Die-hard fans of the genre might want to check this one out, as this CD has many good moments, but listen before you buy.

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


Tracklisting:
The Alchemist (4:52) / Birth Of The Fallen Angel (2:30) / Sabbath Day (4:25) / Wings Of The Wind (4:29) / The Dark Before... (4:30) / The War Of Races (4:34) / ... The Light (inst.) (3:37) / Lone Warrior (5:06) / Pand?monium (4:54) / The Alchemist (piano version) (3:35)

Musicians:
Daniel Reda - lead and backing vocals
Alex Niall - lead and rhythm guitars
Ragman - rhythm and lead guitars, acoustic guitars
Giulio Capone - keyboards, piano and orchestra
Lorenzo Zirilli - bass guitar
Simone Barbieri - drums

Discography:
And The Ruins Begin To Pray (1999)
Return To Reality (2005)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin IT

Added: January 17th 2005
Reviewer: Bjørnar Bevolden
Score:
Artist website: www.pandaemonium.org
Hits: 2374
Language: english

  

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