Pleonexia-Break All Chains

Pure Underground Records
2014

Pleonexia, who hail from Turin, Italy and take their name from an ancient Greek term*, was formed in 2012 by Michele Da Pila (vocals, guitars and keyboards). Initially a one man band, and self-described by front-man Michele Da Pila as "Philosophic metal", Pleonexia eventually grew into a full-fledged project with Federico Fondrini (guitars/backing vocals), Leonardo Manoiero (guitars/backing vocals), Davide Arneri (bass/ backing vocals), Lorenzo Luca (keyboards) and Stefano Clara (drums/ backing vocals) filling out the ranks. This Italian six-piece, which (musically) revolves around Michele Da Pila's wide vocal-range and the skilled-use of twin guitar solos**, make their professional debut with "Break All Chains". While it's almost impossible to make any sort of assumption about this being a "Philosophic metal" act (as Pure Steel Promotion never seems to include lyrics with their promo releases) one can certainly remark on the actual music that makes up "Break All Chains". The album's promo material makes the claim that Pleonexia "play a mix of 1980s hard rock and heavy metal with strong epic influences and with lyrics that encompass philosophical subjects". OK, so we've already discussed how it would be hard to make any kind of guess about the lyrical approach of "Break All Chains" let's break down the other claims one at a time. It's true that this Italian six-piece draws upon a "mix of 1980's hard rock and heavy metal". But, it's an odd mix. Yes, there is a lot of eighties hard rock influences here (LeMans perhaps? Highway Chile?) although it's more like eighties MELODIC hard rock. And sure, there are plenty of leftover eighties metal movements (Manilla Road), but they mostly come in the form of Manowar-like epic metal or Liege Lord without the speed (or respectability). Translated that means that anyone who were to go into this one looking straight-up, kick ass eighties metal would be sorely disappointed. And here's the thing. Along with these elements of 80's (melodic) hard rock and (epic) heavy metal you have more then a little N.W.O.B.H.M.-influences (Phoenix Rising and maybe Praying Mantis?) creeping into the mix. Normally that would be a good thing, but here it all comes across as more of a mess as if these different genres were evolved in a horrific head-on collision! Add to that a so-so production, which is nothing terribly tragic, but it definitely ends up lacking any sort of punch, and what you end up with is an odd albums that tries really hard but never manages to take off. You would dare to hope that by album number two this band might be able to work out some of the kinks (frankly a lot of this is rather flat) and produce something a tad more "refreshing". For now though I'd tag this as a "hand's off band to watch".


*Directly from Wikipedia:  Pleonexia, sometimes called pleonexy, originating from the Greek πλεονεξια, is a philosophical concept in writings by Plato and Aristotle, employed also in the New Testament. It roughly corresponds to greed, covetousness, or avarice, and is strictly defined as "the insatiable desire to have what rightfully belongs to others", suggesting what Ritenbaugh describes as "ruthless self-seeking and an arrogant assumption that others and things exist for one's own benefit".

**While there are post-Judas Priest/Iron Maiden twin guitar solos they are not as potent as one would hope for.

Circle's Line-Circle's Line

Steel Gallery Records
2013

From the sounds of things it sure doesn't look as if the Greek heavy metal scene will dry up any time soon. At least that's the impression one gets when you listen to this self-titled release from Circle's Line. Formed at the end of 2011, which makes them a fairly new face in the Greek heavy metal crowd, the band is lead up front by Tasos Karapapazoglou (Elwing, Nemesis, ex-Windfall) who, besides delivering lead vocals of the epic metal sort (Think Ronnie James Dio meets Rob Halford, but with a bit of a Greek twist!), produced this album. And what an album it is! That is if you like heavy metal with a high level of technical flare and with a wide berth of influences/styles. After two numbers (opener "Shoot To Kill" and "A Circle's Line") that seem to suggest a gathering of some of heavy metal's true heavyweights like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Dio the album pulls in a bit of (Dio-era) Black Sabbath with "Desperado" before turning towards Blind Guardian and Iced Earth with "Jame's Story"! And, that's just the album's first four tracks! Needless to say this is one album that doesn't suffer from a lack of diversity! Of course such variety requires a talented individual handling the six-string and that task falls to Kaidis Panos. While his lead work is never in question (see "Shoot To Kill", "A Circle's Line", "A Heroic Tune" and "Legions Of The Damned") his true ability really starts to shine on "Dark River".  Recalling some of Ritchie Blackmore's better moments, "Dark City" has an opening which is absolutely to die for before it gradually moves towards a more European-style of power metal. Speaking of which, Circle's Line are likely the exact kind of band that will appeal to fans of European-style power metal as much as it will to fans of traditional, U.S.-based power metal. And that right there is what made "Circle's Line" such a pleasant listening experience. The group, which also includes bass guitarist Taxiarhes Apostolakopoulos and drummer Nick Tsilicoudis, constantly strives to keep things fresh and interesting while also making sure that they maintain their true heavy metal nature. When I first read over the promo material for this album it claimed that it would appeal to fans of Iron Maiden, Crimson Glory, Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, Firewind, Joe Satriani, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Dio and Queensrÿche! Sure enough it would! There's nothing here to suggest otherwise. I'd personally toss in a few other names like Rainbow, Dream Evil, Helloween and maybe even Memento Mori, but that's just me being me! Overall "Circle's Line" was pure joy from the standpoint of a fan first and foremost (as that is what I am and will always be at the end of the day folks!) and comes recommended. Regardless of the fact that Circle’s Line is a fairly new name in the field of heavy metal, even if lead vocalist Tasos Karapapazoglou himself isn't, if this release is an indication at all of this band's potential then this this Greek act has a very promising future in front of them!

Dark Age-A Matter of Trust

AFM Records
2013

In the back of my mind I was kind of hoping that somehow this was the same L.A., heavy metal/power metal band Dark Age that released one of the better cult EP's, the self-titled "Dark Age", back in 1984. Of course I knew that wasn't the case. Even so this Hamburg-based Dark Age, who are actually now on lucky album number seven, have an interesting sound all their own. The band, which was formed in 1994 and originally went by the name of Dyer's Eve, is lead by front-man/ guitarist Eike Freese and, for lack of a better description I suppose, they play a hybrid form of metal that combines European-style power metal, melodic death metal, heavy rock and even shades of modern metal. With flashy, nearly techno, keyboards (Martin Reichert) and lead solos from, I assume, Jörn Schubert (of Holy Moses fame) that comes across as thrash rock, this is an album that really caught me off guard! It truly surprised me how interesting the whole album is with it's many different layers and adventurous movements. An album like this is not an easy undertaking seeing how the actual music combines all of these contrasting elements into one smooth narration. On hand it's all so "different" and yet, when you look at it from a another angle and really allow yourself to become one with the music, it's a strong and compelling release with top-notch musicians and songs that keep you interested in what is coming up next. While there are good albums out there far too many just do not have a clue on how to keep you on your toes. This release welcomes you to come inside, sit down and unwind like a family friend. Now I've just got to say that even if this wasn't the Dark Age I had hoped for, and even if this Dark Age was completely unfamiliar to me before listening to "A Matter of Trust", I'm glad I gave it a chance and I would highly recommend this to people who are looking for something different then your typical, run of the mill, heavy metal albums. With "A Matter Of Trust", which yes, does make me hum the Billy Joe song every-time I type it, there is just so much to it. Or (when talking about their new album) to look at it a different way, when it comes to Dark Age, like they say at Baskin-Robbins, there are "31 Fun Flavors" for you to try!