Masters of Disguise - Alpha / Omega Review
Take you ever wondered what Helloween would sound like if Michael Kiske sounded more like Michael Sweet of Stryper?
No, y'all didn't.
Because why would y'all? Hell, I admire both bands, and I've never once wondered that, never even crossed my mind. But thankfully, at present I kinda have an reply…
And while I've got you: I'yard sure you've heard that old adage, about good artists borrowing and peachy artists stealing? (Yep, y'all have.)
Release date: October twenty, 2017. Label: Limb Records.
And it's truthful, of form: Borrowing and stealing, well… that'south a part of art, when it's washed properly. If you're going to borrow, borrow well. Borrow from someone deserving of the homage, and make it your own. If yous can borrow from someone obscure, all the better – everyone bows at the anxiety of the popular; bow to the bottom known and separate yourself from the pack. And if you're going to borrow, and borrow well, borrow wholly, and absolutely, whatsoever you do, own information technology. Like it says: Great artists steal, after all, and where'southward the shame in greatness…
Germany's Masters Of Disguise are virtually literally picking up where frequently-unsung Los Angeles speed metallers Savage Grace left off: Iv of the five Masters performed with Savage Grace's Chris Logue on that band'southward 2009-2010 reunion tour (if such a thing tin can truly exist called a "reunion"); the logo typeface is the same; the bedlamite cop mascot ("Knutson") is the same. Through three full-lengths now and two EPs, the Masters are still plying the aforementioned speed-soaked melodic metal that Savage Grace did so well back then, and of those 3 total-lengths, and the two EPs amidst them, Alpha / Omega is the first to not feature a Savage Grace cover. (It does characteristic a bonus encompass of Exciter'southward "Blackwitch," though, if you're nonetheless on the hunt for 80s speed metal covers.)
So, to get the obvious out of the way: Masters Of Disguise sounds a hell of a lot like an updated Savage Grace. The production is stouter, slicker, punchier, and that'south a good thing, merely overall, the remainder is mostly the same: fast equally a shark, the riffs cut out of the dark, and killer they are. Vocalizer Alexx Stahl sticks primarily to a robust breast voice, hence the Michael Sugariness comparing above – i that's more prominent when he's singing about signs of the cross or Sky or Hell or Jerusalem. He'southward got a noticeable German language accent, and far more bite in some lower register moments, only however, the likeness is odd and eerie.
The performances and the production are par for the speed metallic course – all strong, all suitable, all the expected Helloween-y flatulent bashing – then equally with almost all trad metallic, the template is set, and it comes downward to the songs themselves. I'll admit that I've non spun a unmarried second of any other Masters Of Disguise records, so I can't compare Blastoff / Omega to any of what came before, only I'll also very readily admit that everything I hear here makes me want to rectify that initial access post-haste. Put simply: Alpha / Omega pretty much smokes, from tiptop to bottom and side to side. "Demons Of The Past," "Sign Of The Cross," the 3rd installment in their Knutson-based series – standouts are difficult to come past when the whole of Alpha / Omega is i fifty-5-minute ride through delightfully retro-tinted modern trad metal, reverential and respectful and a rip-roaring practiced fourth dimension, with speed in spades and plenty catchy melodies to keep you singing along while y'all air-guitar to riff after glorious riff.
2017 hasn't been a specially amazing twelvemonth for trad metal – the usual stalwarts like Manilla Road and Take turned in decent, but non stellar efforts. I withal haven't heard the Crystal Viper, and Grave Digger released yet another Grave Digger anthology, which is what I expect from them. Overall, most of what resonated with me throughout the yr was heavier, darker, uglier, and so it'southward a more than-than-pleasant surprise that here, right at the cease of the year, a heretofore unheard band drops in my lap and scratches that melodic metal itch. Here's to a new favorite built-in of an quondam favorite, and ane that borrowed well indeed.
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Source: https://yourlastrites.com/2017/11/30/masters-of-disguise-alpha-omega-review/
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