With the international nature of music, and the many languages I encounter everyday at work, I wish my school hadn’t decided on ancient Greek and Latin as compulsory subjects; if I’d been taught contemporary languages I might have had the slightest clue what lyrics the band Marauder were intoning in the pseudo Benedictine monk chant of the opening track of their album, ‘Face The Mirror’. As it was, with the monastic harmonized vocals and simple organ refrain, this could have been the opener to some high church religious sampler.
It is only with the opening riff of the first track “I am (the one)”, followed up with the falsetto scream of vocalist Alexandros Kostarakos that the band briefly abandoned the instrumental operatics, and replaced it with the 100% Ronnie James Dio inspired power metal stylings that they showed their true colours. As a genuine introduction to the album and the influences of the band, this was far more accurate then the opener; every vocal was screamed with an impressive sustain, whilst the twin guitars, bass, and drums ticked every box of any competent power metal band. This was even more apparent in the title track for the album, ‘Face The Mirror’ with its combination of break neck riffs, chanted choruses, and fast, sustain driven solos. This was followed on the album by the unashamed pomp metal of “Hearts of Steele” (the extra ”e” is care of the band’s promoters, and not my typo), a track that laid out operatic vocals, power riffs, and a pounding drum rhythm that ran through the whole album.
This was an album of skillfully delivered pomp and ceremony. Solos blended seamlessly into twin guitar sustain driven riffs, whilst the rhythm section powered out skillful and complex layered drum and bass lines before fading out at the end, a characteristic of almost every track. The influence of early Maiden and the NWOHBM was reinforced in the sound and delivery of ‘Nemesis’, with its overlaid chants and solos so reminiscent of Adrian Murray, and chanted vocal breaks.
This is the sort of note perfect, exceptionally cleanly produced album that if reproduced live with a flashing light display would have a host of leather and nickel plated stud clad fists pumping in the air: I can only hope the live experience of the band can match their album presentation.
http://www.marauder.gr
