Wardum-Messenger

Steel Gallery Records
2013

Somehow Wardrum's latest album (along with several other choice new releases from Steel Gallery Records) slipped right past me when it was issued this past November. And this was after the fact that I had really enjoyed this Greek power metal band's last album, 2012's "Desolation", and had made myself a promise to keep an eye out for this bunch. Well, I've got no one to blame for that blunder but myself. As I downloaded the promo material for "Messenger", which incidentally is Wardrum's third full-length album in as many years, I was curious to see if (or for that matter how) they could improve upon what was already a great progressive power metal and a fine debut for lead vocalist Yannis Papadopoulos (Until Rain, ex-Crosswind). Anxiously I pushed onward and once "Shelter" kicked this party off it kicked it off just right! With "Messenger" the band, which is also comprised of guitarist Kosta Vreto (Kosta Vreto, Horizon's End, Jaded Star), bassist Kostas Scandalis (Horizon's End, ex-Final Answer, ex-Mindloss) and drummer
Stergios Kourou (Kosta Vreto, Horizon's End, ex-Escape, ex-Death from Above), proves once more that they deserve every bit of praise they receive! Really this is a band that deserves even more praise (and press) then it currently receives and it's indeed odd that this band hasn't made more of a dent in the power metal scene then it has already. Now, last time around I remarked "Imagine taking some of the better parts of bands like Riot, New Eden, Helstar, Crimson Glory, Watchtower, Titan Force, Warlord, Vicious Rumors, Symphony X, Queensryche and Destiny's End and creating a young and hungry band out of it." When you listen to "Messenger" that same band and those same influences are there, but in an improved manner. It's the same sharp guitars and the same overpowering lead vocals that made "Desolation" such a underrated gem and for fans of good, straight-up power metal you'd be hard pressed to find a better example of how to do it right then with this Greek band! This one is highly recommended!

Wardrum-Desolation

Steel Gallery Records
2012



Right after the Greek band Wardrum unleashed their debut album “Spadework” to the metal community they went back to work on the follow-up. With only a year removed from then to now this new release, "Desolation" is a step-up as far as follow ups go and an amazing display of highly skilled progressive power metal. Everything from the song writing to the album's artwork (which is a work of Piotr Szafraniec created specifically for Wardrum) to the band's new singer Yannis Papadopoulos (Until Rain, Crosswind) marks a step in the right direction. That direction is straight up as this sophomore release looks likely to establish the band as one of the best new progressive power metal bands to come out of not only Greece but Europe in a long time. Don't let that high praise fall on deaf ears and please don't mistake this boast as simple folly for this band is every bit as good as the hype. While the band's debut (which saw former Horizons End members Kosta Vreto, Stergios Kourou and Kostas Scandalis joined by the vocalist of Uli Jon Roth, one Piero Leporale) was a fine work of progressive power metal this new album is such a leap forward it hardly seems like the same band. Especially if you consider the fact that only one year has passed since their debut album "Spadework" and their second album,"Desolation". Now those of you who are frequent readers know that I am not a huge prog/power metal fan. Usually progressive power metal bands fall into one of two categories for me. You either have highly skilled yet ultimately boring acts and then you have bands that have not only skill but can also write hook-laden songs that flat out rock. Wardrum fall into the later group with "Desolation". With "Desolation" Wardrum walks into the room and just shreds everything and everyone to bits. Not only does this band have strong melodies and superb technical know how but, they also have one foot firmly planted in traditional heavy metal. Imagine taking some of the better parts of bands like Riot, New Eden, Helstar, Crimson Glory, Watchtower, Titan Force, Warlord, Vicious Rumors, Symphony X, Queensryche and Destiny's End and creating a young and hungry band out of it. Wardrum would be the result. Simply put this is an exceptional album that I hope to return to often. To order see below.

http://www.arkeynsteel.com/metal-store/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=140&category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=9999
for preview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52S_vJh4KgM&feature=colike
www.steelgallery.com
www.wardrum.gr