Requiem - The Arrival


Year of Release: 2002
Label: Sound Riot
Catalog Number: SRP 014
Format: CD
Total Time: 46:42:00

What do you think you will get if you mix in a giant magic pot, a touch of Symphony X, some Labyrinth and Rhapsody powder, Malmsteen and even Ivanhoe ingredients? If you managed to do this strange mixture, you will get Requiem and their debut album The Arrival

This album title couldn't have been better than that, since this CD arrives at quite the right time. While lot of new Power Metal new comers still try to write the "never yet ever written Keepers Of The Seven Keys part III," Requiem went as separate way and tried to innovate. In fact, the band has as much power metal influences as prog metal ones in their music to make it quite special and different than the other bands that could be compared to them. The result is really pleasant and quite surprising to say the least.

The beginning of the hostility starts right away with the opening song of the album, "Revival," with the bombastic neoclassical riffing of Arto Räisälä (g) and Teemu Hännimen (g). But when Jouni Nikula (v) enters with his operatic vocal approach, you know you are in front of something special. This guy has quite a range, like shown in his majestic performance on "Whispers," the song that has the most "Ivanhoe" feel in it.

In fact, the singer can be compared to Andy B. Franck, ex-front man of Ivanhoe, Symbols Of Time-era. Requiem is not only the work of three musicians. indeed it wouldn't be fair forgetting to mention the outstanding performances of Jari Huttunen (d), who is able to follow at the speed of light the two completely insane guitarists, Pasi Kauppinen (b), who, when we hear him (what is it with bass in Power Metal), delivers an interesting performance for the style, and nonetheless, Henrik Klingensberg (k), who doesn't fall into the cliché of power metal by not playing 1,000,000 [miles an hour], but instead using his instrument as a creator of atmospheres. Don't get me wrong, the guy can play fast. Please notice that the two last mentioned musicians are also members of the band Silent Voice.

Honestly I really didn't know what to expect from this new band, but I must confess it was quite a pleasant and enchanting surprise. Fans of neoclassical metal that are tired of things done and redone, should really enjoy Requiem, as I think they deserve recognition for the effort they put in their musical work to make it sound as original and unique as they could. Maybe it's a debut album, but they shouldn't feel ashamed of their work, as it sounds way better than a lot of "big" bands out there.

Similar bands: Symphony X, Labyrinth, Rhapsody, Ygnwie J. Malmsteen, Ivanhoe

[This review originally appeared April 2004 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]


Tracklisting:
Arrival (0:58) / Revival (4:28) / Broken Alliance (4:17) / Whispers (4:46) / The Invisible Touch (4:25) / Forgotten Path (7;44) / Halls of Eternity (5:30) / Liquid Hours (6:11) / Masquerade (8:27)

Musicians:
Jouni Niula - vocals
Arto Räisälä - guitars
Teemu Hänninen - guitars
Jari Huttunen - drums
Pasi Kauppinen - bass
Henrik Klingenberg - keyboards

Discography:
The Arrival (2002)
Mask Of Determination (2003)
Requiem Forever (2005)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin FI

Added: December 22nd 2004
Reviewer: Mathieu Chamberlain
Score:
Artist website: www.requiem.kpnet.com
Hits: 1981
Language: english

  

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