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Lords Of Black: II
Lords Of Black II CD Album Review

Lords Of Black: II

Melodic/Heavy/Power Metal
4.5/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 09.03.2016

Okay. So here's another new band for my listening ears. From Spain, Lords Of Black was formed in 2014 by former Saratoga guitarist Tony Hernando and drummer Andy C after the band ceased. They brought in Chilean singer Ronnie Romero to fill the vocal spot. They quickly cut are record, the self-titled Lords Of Black in the same year. Now with Frontiers Music, they drop their second album, appropriately titled II.

Lords Of Black Band Photo

Lords Of Black

Essentially, Lords Of Black play a combination of traditional melodic, heavy and power metal, definitely guitar-centered. Riffs rule the day. Blazing and soaring solos provide the fireworks. Sometimes there's subtle nuances to a song like the piano at the start of New World's Comin' and which also lilts along throughout. As for a sampling of the songs. Merciless, Shadows Of War, and Live By The Lie Die By The Truth easily put the heaviness and speed into LoB's power metal.

Alternatively, the band can get some true rock groove going as with Cry No More, but even this turns into a blistering metal number by the midpoint. Then there's songs that can fool you, like Everything You're Not. It begins with some soft subtle piano, allowing you to think a metal anthem or ballad is ahead. Nope. It evolves into another ass-kicking metal number, yet some nice vocal development. Ghost Of You does something similar, only with lighter guitar at the start, rather than piano. But blistering power metal ensues forthwith, with a devastatingly epic guitar after the midpoint.

Some mention should be made of Romero's vocals. There is some novelty to him and his style. He was tapped by Ritchie Blackmore for vocals in the latest version of Rainbow, calling him a "cross between Ronnie James Dio and Freddie Mercury." Wow. That's a bold statement. Frankly, I don't hear either. Okay, maybe some Dio. A little. A small amount. What I hear is a classic heavy metal singer, at once melodic and harmonious, then soaring and screamo (maybe a little too nasal screamo for me), yet with strength and control. Basically the timbre of his voice fits the Lords Of Black almost perfectly.

In the end, if you love classic melodic, heavy and power metal, powered by speed and thunder, roaring riffage and oodles of blazing guitar solos, Lords Of Black's II should be high on your heavy metal shopping list. Recommended.

Lords Of Black - Merciless


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In Short

If you love classic melodic, heavy and power metal, powered by speed and thunder, roaring riffage and oodles of blazing guitar solos, Lords Of Black's II should be high on your heavy metal shopping list. Recommended.

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