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Chainsheart: Leaving Planet Hell

Melodic Hard Rock/Metal

3.5/5.0

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Pitch Black Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 28.05.2015

Hailing from the isle of Cyprus, Chainsheart rocks like it's 1987 on their second long player, Leaving Planet Hell. You might want to step back a few more years because there's a strong presence of the NWoBHM in the sound. Basically, and unapologetically Chainsheart plays old school melodic hard rock and metal.

Chainsheart

And they're pretty good at their craft. They work from a foundation of melody and a rock groove, add some beefy riffs, twin guitar harmony, and zesty leads, all powered by a solid steady rhythm section. The vocals are clean and melodic, but not always all that understandable, whether by the mix and mastering or simply because Yiannis Savva isn't singing in his native language.

These elements mix for a sound that will keep both hard rock and heavy metal fans satisfied: you can groove, pump your fist, and do your windmills. Good examples of this hard rock metal groove come with Dangerous Drop, Return to the Stage, and Flames That Rise. Yet that last song along with Final Destination may remind some listeners of power metal, thanks to the speed. There are some songs, often elements within some songs, that stand out more than others. One is the contrast of heaviness and lightness within Mystery from the juxtaposition of light guitar against power chords. Another is the opening vocal harmony of Points of You. Unfortunately, it makes only small reprise at the end. Then there's The Spell, a subdued metal anthem with vocals floating over gentle to moderately heavy guitars. Mostly, as said earlier, the material straight classic melodic heavy metal. Nevertheless, Leaving Planet Hell is a fine effort from Chainsheart, probably too old school and throwback for some young modern listeners, but convincing melodic heavy metal all the same.

Chainsheart - Dangerous Drop

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Leaving Planet Hell is a fine effort from Chainsheart, probably too old school and throwback for some young modern listeners, but convincing melodic heavy metal all the same.

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