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Beyond The Katakomb: Beyond The ...

Melodic Power Metal

3.0/5.0

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Black Lodge Records
Releasing: 29.06.2018
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 06.06.2018

Beyond The Katakomb is a new project and band created by L-G Persson, the vocalist for Swedish power metal band The Storyteller. I'm not sure if this means the demise of that band or not. But Beyond The Katakomb does feature some notable Swedish musicians including bass player Johan Niemann (Evergrey, Talisman, Tiamat, et al), drummer Henrik Ohlsson (Scar Symmetry), and as producer Per Nilsson (Scar Symmetry, Kaipa, Nocturnal Rites).

Beyond The Katakomb

If you're thinking that Beyond The Katakomb (BTK) is a natural evolution from The Storyteller, you're not far off. BTK's metal is also melodic heavy power metal with some subtle symphonic embellishment. Persson is in usual form singing melodic and clean with some drama to his timbre. Actually, this is the best he's sounded in years. The rhythm section is powerful, delivering gallop and groove, with the bass lines significantly self-evident. Session guitarist and songwriter Daniel Palmqvist (Joe Lynn Turner, Goran Edman) lays down some brisk and epic guitar solos throughout. So musically speaking, this album is premium melodic power metal. You're thinking, What's the catch?

Dirty death vocals from drummer Henrik Olsson. They're not within every song, but almost half of them. When they appear they're in your face and nasty. I basically skipped and dismissed those songs with some disappointment. Otherwise, the seven remaining tunes, as said earlier, are top notch melodic power metal songs. Favorite picks: Pavor Nocturus, Revealing The Concealed, the instrumental The Spark Divine, and the quite catchy We Rule The Night with Persson in duet with some unnamed female vocalist.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Despite spoiling five songs with death vocals, Beyond The Katakomb delivers some bombastic and dramatic melodic power metal.

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