Krilloan – Emperor Rising
Krilloan – Emperor Rising
Scarlet Records
Release Date: 09/12/22
Running Time: 36:52
Review by Simon Black
8/10
I came across Krilloan’s debut EP “Story Of A Time Forgotten” about 18 months ago and came back from that experience feeling quite positive, hoping for a full album sometime soon (although I did whinge that the mix was a little too trebly). My wish has been granted and this is clearly picking up where its predecessor left off. Given how crowded and clichéd the Power Metal genre is, particularly if a bit of sword and sorcery is your thing, a band needs to be quite exceptional to rise above the melée.
Fortunately, Krilloan do this admirably and with some of the richest and mellifluous vocal harmonies this piece positively soars its way briskly along at a frankly breakneck speed for the most part. I guess that’s probably the most crucial point, as too many of these overwrought conceptual pieces get too embroiled in their stories to spot when they stop just being entertaining, but at just a fraction over 35 minutes of run-time this simply does not have the time to get stale. The songs themselves are kept short and to the point as well, allowing you to enjoy the sheer punchiness of their delivery.
Speed is definitely still the defining characteristic of this band and the song structures trace a direct line of ascendency to genre stalwarts like Helloween and Blind Guardian. But it’s that razor focus on short, sharp delivery that is what makes this succeed. The stylistic ground is well trodden, but band leader Klas Holmgren sensibly and brutally trims any fat from the contents leaving you with a slab of Power Metal that is really just top notch. They also have recognised the need for a standout anthemic ‘everyman’ song to pull a new audience of passing listeners in with, and the hugely Hansi Kirsch indebted ‘Break Of Dawn (Brothers In Arms)’ hits that mark quite well as well as providing a welcome relief from the brutal pace of delivery. The only criticism I really have is the same one I gave the EP, which would be the need for a little less treble in the mix, as this is screaming for some heavy bottom end kidney rumbling to accompany those soaring notes, and the quite frankly blistering vocal delivery of Alex Vantrue who could curdle milk at a distance of several kilometres.
This should not work, but it does. More please.
‘Sons Of The Lion’ Official Lyric Video
TRACKLISTING:
01. Prince Of Caledor
02. Sons Of The Lion
03. Fireborn
04. Return To Melnibone
05. Emperor Rising
06. Break Of Dawn (Brothers In Arms)
07. Into The Storm
08. Stormlight
09. Angels Sacrifice
LINE-UP:
Alex Vantrue – Vocals
Klas Holmgren – Guitar
Steve Brockmann – Guitar
Marco Toba – Bass
Cristoph Brandes – Drums
LINKS:
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