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Mystic Prophecy – War Brigade

Label: Massacre
Format: CD download
Released: 2016
Reviewed By: Rich Catino
Rating: 7/ 10


9th album by Germany’s Mystic Prophecy for fans of the harder edge, rougher lower tenor bassier voice, often leaning more towards the speed with the power metal. Those in the family - Iced Earth, Blind Guardian, Brainstorm, Morgana lefay, Grave Digger, Running Wild, and Rage. Still, like the bands mentioned, the Prophecy include melody in the vocal and guitar harmonies. Example - ‘Fallow The Blind’, ‘Burning Out’, may hit with the force of a hammer, but the chorus is still singable. ‘The Crucifix’ also hits hard with a good mid pace and accenting leads, still with a tuneful bridge and chorus.

 

Like the sample of Godzilla’s roar in the (misdirected) opening to monstrous romper ‘Pray For Hell’, which reflects the albums cover artwork. Half way through the album, ’10,000 Miles Away’ fits as a ballad and break from the heaviness, and also shows off R.D. Liapakis tone without the grit. ‘Good Day To Die’ returns the heavy metal sounds keeping with the vibe for the album’s title, while ‘The Devil Is Back’ uses a punchier chorus. Clean guitars begin ‘War Panzer’, with twin guitar leads, but moves along too familiar in rhythm and structure to the other songs. But, the lead break and solo help. Two of the last three songs (‘Sex Bomb’ – Tom Jones cover?, really doesn’t fit lyrically) also suffer from and succumbed to rhythmic and tempo repetition heard elsewhere on the album. Maybe shave off three of the twelve for a stronger album.

 
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