(2009 - Massacre Records)Germany's METALIUM are lucky enough to have a couple of albums in their back catalouge that are generally regarded as classics of the power metal genre. Unfortunately though, their last few outputs have been less than stellar and the recent flooding of the power metal scene has seen them become just another good band rather than a great one.
GROUNDED CHAPTER EIGHT is the fitting title for their eighth album and follows the mild conceptual story that has been told from the very first album, and seemingly follows the trend of mediocrity the band have shown since their last great album, 2004's AS ONE CHAPTER FOUR.
Everything musicianship wise and vocal wise is of a very high quality, as is the production, but the songwriting feels uninspired for the most part save for a few gems that are worth hearing.
Opening track HEAVY METAL is a very MANOWAR-ish song that starts with the line.. "WE ARE HEAVY METAL, IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT F**K YOU!", a fair enough comment, but overall the song comes off a little cheesy and doesn't really suit the bands individual style. Second track LIGHT OF DAY is much better and is a great slab of mid-paced majestic power metal. PAY THE FEE is probably the highlight and has everything you would expect from METALIUM. CROSSROAD OVERLOAD and BORROWED TIME are also worth a mention with the latter being probably the best ballad-ish song the band has ever written.
If power metal is your genre of choice, you probably adhere by the saying "too much is never enough" and will this find this album more than adequate for a few spins. But if power metal is something you only listen to every now and again, there are many better options available.
GROUNDED CHAPTER EIGHT is definitely an improvement over the band's last few albums, but they have got a long way to go yet before they can reclaim their crown as one of power metal's elites.
GROUNDED CHAPTER EIGHT is the fitting title for their eighth album and follows the mild conceptual story that has been told from the very first album, and seemingly follows the trend of mediocrity the band have shown since their last great album, 2004's AS ONE CHAPTER FOUR.
Everything musicianship wise and vocal wise is of a very high quality, as is the production, but the songwriting feels uninspired for the most part save for a few gems that are worth hearing.
Opening track HEAVY METAL is a very MANOWAR-ish song that starts with the line.. "WE ARE HEAVY METAL, IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT F**K YOU!", a fair enough comment, but overall the song comes off a little cheesy and doesn't really suit the bands individual style. Second track LIGHT OF DAY is much better and is a great slab of mid-paced majestic power metal. PAY THE FEE is probably the highlight and has everything you would expect from METALIUM. CROSSROAD OVERLOAD and BORROWED TIME are also worth a mention with the latter being probably the best ballad-ish song the band has ever written.
If power metal is your genre of choice, you probably adhere by the saying "too much is never enough" and will this find this album more than adequate for a few spins. But if power metal is something you only listen to every now and again, there are many better options available.
GROUNDED CHAPTER EIGHT is definitely an improvement over the band's last few albums, but they have got a long way to go yet before they can reclaim their crown as one of power metal's elites.
7/10
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