Eidolon - Apostles of Defiance


Year of Release: 2003
Label: Metal Blade
Catalog Number: n/a
Format: CD
Total Time: 52:15:00

The review of the previous Eidolon disc, Coma Nation, by fellow ProgPower writer Gary, ended with the phrase "Heavy ... so heavy :)" and this pretty much sets the tone for the latest release by the Canadian metallers from Eidolon. In that review you can read about the background from the band, so we won't waste words on that and go straight to the music, which is heavy ... very heavy.

From the opener "Screams From Within," you are bombarded with powerful, furious drums by Shawn Drover and crushing guitar riffs by his brother Glen, and you feel you are in the middle of the ring, fighting to the death. I think guest vocalist Voldamares Gollum (Eclipse Eternal) surely adds to this [by] adding his death vocals to "Scream From Within," "Volcanic Earth" and "Apostles Of Defiance." Personally I don't think it improved the sound. Vocalist Pat Mulock sounds OK, although I find his voice a bit overwhelmed by the music, but that is a result of the production. Between the hammering guitars and drums, there is room for some more interesting guitar parts, like in "Twisted Morality," which shows a much better side of Glen Drover, sounding as Kirk Hammet did in his old days, with great heavy riffs. The barrage of heavy metal power keeps coming throughout the album, but the closing track stands out! "Apathy For A Dying World," starts with an almost gentle guitar and paces down a bit, compared to the rest of the album. This is a very progressive song, with drums reminiscent of Lars Ulrich (Metallica) and even some harmony guitars. I love the heavy sound, but am not too happy with the vocals here. But with some cool guitar solos and a very different sound than the rest of the album, this is the most interesting track on the album, showing these guys are not your average power metal band.

Despite the very obvious Metallica influences, Apostles Of Defiance is a very good album, although they should either work on the vocals or get a new vocalist. This album showed they have grown, with respect to their previous albums, so that is a good thing for a band. Let's hope they will still keep their power metal side, but also explore the progressive parts more on their next album.

Similar Bands: Iced Earth, King Diamond

[This review originally appeared November 2003 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Screams From Within / Volcanic Earth / Twisted Morality / Demoralized / The Test / The Will To Remain / Apostles Of Defiance / Pull The Trigger / Apathy For A Dying World

Musicians:
Pat Mulock - vocals
Glen Drover - guitars
Adrian Robichaud - bass
Shawn Drover - drums

Discography:
Zero Hour (1996)
Seven Spirits (1998)
Nightmare World (2000)
Hallowed Apparition (2001)
Coma Nation (2002)
Apostles Of Defiance (2003)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin CA

Added: December 18th 2004
Reviewer: Marcel Haster
Score:
Artist website: www.eidolon-nightmareworld.com
Hits: 2336
Language: english

  

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