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March 2023

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February 2023

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January 2023

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Guardians of Time: A Beautiful Atrocity

Heavy/Progressive/Power Metal

4.5/5.0

Mayhem Music
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by Craig Hartranft,  05.02.2011

We haven't heard from Norway's Guardians of Time since 2004. They return in fine form with A Beautiful Atrocity, a mammoth platter of progressive power metal and, quite possibly, their best work since their beginnings in 1997.

To start, I'm wondering if A Beautiful Atrocity is to be considered a concept album. Unfortunately, I have no information to confirm my suspicion. We're introduced in the beginning to a fellow, Jeffery Callahan, moments from execution and, then, at the end, he meets his demise.

One thing that can be said is that GoT experiments a bit early in the work with some modern nuances, specifically some harsh vocals. Perverse Perfection, God v2.0, and Monster appear to add the vocals more stylistically to develop a character within each song. Largely, it works, if for any reason then the that the music is so very good to carry the vocals. Yet by Monster, I've had enough. (They do return later in I, Sinner.)

From Altered in Red to the end, Guardians of Time is in exceptional form, their music rising on the collective creativity of composition and musicianship. This well-crafted, well developed, melodic heavy metal with the strong spices of power and progressive metal. Mind Divided, Heart of Darkness, and Dreamworld Messiah are ripping numbers with an ingenious sense of catch accessibility. The depth of vocalist Bernt Fjellestad skill shines on Sleep Eternal. Overall, there's diversity to A Beautiful Atrocity. Powerful heavy metal reigns on I, Sinner and Monster; melodic prog metal ala Queensryche on Dreamworld Messiah and Only in a Dream; and, a strange brew of old school rock and metal with curious backing vocals on the bonus track, The Man.

Guardian of Time's A Beautiful Atrocity is genuinely intriguing and entertaining. After seven years to create, one would expect a band bring some significant material. GoT has done it indeed; A Beautiful Atrocity is an excellent accomplishment. Very recommended.

Guardian of Time's A Beautiful Atrocity is genuinely intriguing and entertaining. After seven years to create, one would expect a band bring some significant material. GoT has done it indeed; A Beautiful Atrocity is an excellent accomplishment.

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Arriving from Finland, the origins of Transworld Identity come from Mila Bosa, a singer in a cover band. But it wasn't enough. She aspired to write and perform original songs, forming Transworld Identity ... [ Read More ]