Artist: Burning Point
Title: Empyre
Type: Album
Label: Metal Heaven Records
These Finnish chaps have been around since 1999, having released three previous albums, then managed to get caught up in some legal problems with their old contracts, have continued to battle on, hence securing a record contract with those nice folks at the German label Metal Heaven Records. Following their Intro (The Godfather theme music) ‘Empyre’ flows effortlessly into its title track in all its epic glory. The vocals from Pete Ahonen are as strong as an ox, and musically it’s very upbeat and happy! The chorus provides the clichéd euro power metal madness, but there is something just different about the rest of the music. The keyboards are present all the time but quiet in the mix and not too overpowering. The guitar solos are thoughtful and the twin guitar attacks prove ever so prominent. The last time I heard something so fresh and upbeat was Lost Horizon’s debut all those years ago. In this genre it is hard to be excited sometimes when most bands play generic riffs and give wimpy vocal lines. This is definitely not the case with this band. ‘Manic Merry-Go-Round’ is heavy, cheesy and everything in between, sometimes coming across as a Sinner/Primal Fear hybrid but also bringing some American influence into the sound. In fact the some tracks remind me of another release by this label, namely Driver’s ‘Sons of Thunder’.
The drumming has more range in it too, instead of the usual constant double kick drum you get with this style; there is variation and some excellent fills in place. ‘Face the Truth’ bounds along at breakneck speed and the keyboards rear their head, but once again, subtlety is the name of the game. The whole band get to show off their talents without overdosing on high vocals and twiddle for all your worth solos. In fact listening to their earlier material, it is clear to hear that these boys have matured and have gained a good album with good production. The cover artwork courtesy of Felipe Machado Franco who has worked with such artists as Iced Earth and Blaze Bailey, is a masterpiece, typical of this genre, but then I always feel disappointed when you get a band picture on the sleeve, good artwork is essential and that is what you have here. Now it is time for the obligatory ballad, ‘Was It Me’, but this still has a light and shade element, not suffering at all as many ballads do from emotional weakness! Ok, the lyrics are apologetic and sympathy ridden, but the acoustic passages and soul-searching solos make up a strong contending stand out track on the CD. Other tracks like ‘Only the Wrong Will Survive’ and ‘Blinded by the Darkness’ finish off this album perfectly and make it a very infectious listen, it does not even need to grow on you, its an instant positive listen from the first run through, the mark of all things good.
Melodic vocals with a bit of aggression, effortless flow in the song arrangements and a general air of a band at the height of its game would be a good summary for this CD. It would do you no wrong in checking out this band; I feel it’s a powerhouse of epic proportions and talented musicianship.
http://www.burningpoint.net
http://www.myspace.com/burningpointband
http://www.metalheaven.net
Paul Maddison
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