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September 2024

• Sinner's Blood: Dark Horizons
• Serious Black: Rise Of Akhenaton
• Eclipse: Megalomanium II
• SteelCity: Reverence
• Hydra: ReHydrated
• Heartwind: III
• Gabrielle De Val and the Dragonlords: Tiger
• Find Me: Nightbound
• The Nail: The Nail
• Timeless Fairytale: A Story To Tell
• Stryper: When We Were Kings
• Phil Mogg: Moggs Motel
• Pure Reason Revolution: Coming Up To Consciousness
• Jordan Rudess: Permission To Fly

August 2024

• Siege Perilous: Creation's Call EP
• Paralydium: Universe Calls
• Mike Tramp: Songs Of White Lion Vol. II
• Bite The Bullet: Looking For Paradise
• All For Metal: Gods Of Metal (Year Of The Dragon)
• Hammerfall: Avenge The Fallen
• Jim Peterik & World Stage: Roots & Shoots Vol. 2

July 2024

• Ironflame: Kingdom Torn Asunder
• Spektra: Hypnotized
• (Michael) Palace: Reckless Heart
• Mr. Big: Ten
• Dark Mile: Dark Mile

June 2024

• Kaipa: Sommargryningsljus
• Sunbomb: Light Up The Sky
• Seven Spires: A Fortress Called Home
• Atlantic: Another World
• Xeneris: Eternal Rising
• New Horizon: Conquerors
• Issa: Another World

May 2024

• Rhapsody Of Fire: Challenge The Wind
• Cloven Hoof: Heathen Cross
• Perseus: Into The Silence
• Yes: Talk (1994/2024) Reissue
• Marty Friedman: Drama
• Demon: Invincible
• The Treatment: Wake Up The Neighbourhood
• The Tangent: To Follow Polaris
• Riot V: Mean Streets
• Anette Olzon: Rapture
• FM: Old Habits Die Hard

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Serious Black: Rise Of Akhenaton

Melodic/Heavy/Power Metal

4.5/5.0

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AFM Records
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 25.09.2024 | Released: 27.09.2024

With the arrival of their latest and sixth studio album, Rise Of Akhenaton, Serious Black enters their second decade in the European metal universe. Since the arrival of 2022's Vengeance Is Mine, and introduction of new vocalist Nikola Mijic, the band's personnel has remained stable. Founding member and bassist Mario Lochert said of Mijic: "Since his joining three years ago our singer Nikola Mijic has turned out to be a real jewel for us. Because of his expressive voice and his intuitive feeling for great melodies the songs got more clarity and a more direct pace." Also returning for the new album is multi-instrumentalist and producer Bob Katsionis on guitar and production.

Serious Black

Musically, very little has changed with Serious Black. Though they are often lumped into the European power metal genre, their metal is more nuanced to also feature traditional melodic heavy metal merged with classic hard rock. Then, thanks to song melody and harmony, catchy hooks in refrains, rock rhythm and groove, and roaring guitar solos, Serious Black adds arena-ready, AOR groove.

Speaking to some songs then, you'll hear that aforementioned significant AOR infused melodic metal with quite catchy United, the fast paced rocker Metalized, Silent Angel with its fine vocal harmony, and the beefed up cover of Toto's I Will Remember. Some my find that some of those reach to power metal. But, to these ears, I found power metal more apparent with Virtual Reality, Rise Of Akhenaton, and perhaps Open Your Eyes where the speed is undeniable, but so is the rock groove. Finally, a rising anthemic ballad arrives with When I'm Gone where you hear the depth of Nikola Mijic's vocal talent.

All considered, Rise Of Akhenaton finds Serious Black in their groove, delivering hybrid melodic metal including nuances of traditional metal, power metal, and classic melodic hard rock groove with entertaining and satisfying results. If you're a fan of the band or genre(s), get this album. Very recommended.

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

Rise Of Akhenaton finds Serious Black in their groove, delivering hybrid melodic metal including nuances of traditional metal, power metal, and classic melodic hard rock groove with entertaining and satisfying results. Very recommended.

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