Mystic Prophecy – Metal Division
6/10
It is loud. Very loud.
But I do not mind. The music of bands that sound like they belong in the “true metal” (teaspoon of sarcasm) compartment need to be loud. Nothing strange there. This album starts full tilt. Power metal full tilt. Heavy drums, cool riff, loud. Just about how it should be served. “Metal Division” is a splendid opening track, both for the album and I suspect live as well. It is bound to be a fist pumping, headbanging track that sets the mood.
“Eye to eye” that follows is made from the same crypt. Ashes to ashes and dust to dust and so on. Re-hashing classic phrases does not have to be bad. As long as they are delivered with feeling and commitment. Here and throughout they are. It annoys me at times when bands re-use lyrics if it is just to fill out the song. Mystic Prophecy to me stay clear of that. It is rather suiting and fits in nicely.
The highlight of the album for me is “Here Comes the Winter”. This song is so much Iron Maiden without being Iron Maiden. Especially the intro, but the melodies and chorus as well. Even Roberto Dimitri Liapakis singing is so resembling to Dickinson that I had to check for featuring artist. From here my engagement slowly fades with every song. The album never gets to a dull stage, just not interesting enough or songs that are catchy enough to grab hold of you for the 43 minutes.
When looking at this album in full, there is nothing new under the sun. We have power metal 101. No real surprises, just straightforward. I do like the loud production that is crank-up friendly. It is just to inviting not to.
My worry is that this is an album I won´t remember when April comes. It is entertaining for the moment, to be blunt. The good songs are good, not great. The lesser quality songs do not go as bad as crap.
Points for commitment to the cause, points deducted for not grabbing me.
https://open.spotify.com/album/39TpYxmd8AwMLv94u4LsQn?si=K4vCa76tRlu1M5UpYuVXtw
Band: Mystic Prophecy
Title: Metal Division
Label: Rock Of Angels Records
Date of release: 2020-01-10
Rate: 6/10
Stand out track: Here Comes the Winter.
