I took a gamble on this CD in the pick and mix bag that turned up this month for review, thankfully it worked out quite well as you will read later. This band formed in Germany in 2004 and is already on this their third album. Notable fans of the band include Jon Oliva, who even sang on a track on their previous offerings. When I heard the tag melodic power metal I was worried, simply by the amount of drivel and junk that is often released under this moniker. However, this is reassuringly NOT the case for Saidian.
From the opening track ‘Out of the Shadows’ has all the energy and perfect vocal harmonies associated with the debut Sonata Arctica album that was just simply amazing for me. There are powerful riffs, thundering drums, even the keyboards (as most of you who read my reviews will know that I don’t like that much, only in certain places!) are right up there in my complementary stance for this track (and album). Markus Engelfried’s vocals are simply top quality; plenty of range but also plenty of power, there is no wimpy vocal delivery on this record. ‘Tokyo’ is a true sing along anthem for the end of this decade, the arrangements bring out the maturity displayed, I mean for one, this genre is obsessed with lots of fretboard wankery, however, Rodrigo Blattert is much more refined and controlled, with each riff and fill fitting the music perfectly and not being too overtly in your face. ‘Soloman’s Dance’ has such a catchy chorus and the solo is really, I mean really good. The way its all thought through and laid down brings plenty of melody, without trying to play as fast as a power metal can (and has tried to do in the past), which is not normally heavy. Not even the Europe-esq. keyboard at the end falters my enjoyment! Ah yes, the inevitable ballad (‘Once in my Dreams), yes its very nice and sweet, but moving fast onto the other music on offer! Ahem, but this is where I cannot, the band have learned well from masters Jon Oliva and Michael Weikath (Helloween). Then you find the track ‘Sign in the Sky’ that is groovy as hell on the start, the bass intro is great, ah yes, and every instrument gets in on the act after that, its up-tempo Gamma Ray worshipping with a cavalcade of synths and bouncy rhythms. If you like power metal of any sub genre and you don’t get this one then I really don’t know what to think anymore! ‘The Princess’ does have a certain ‘Final Countdown’ feel, its happy, it’s a song that makes you want to sing along too, a great song for a summer festival.
To put it mildly, Saidian have produced an album that most power metal bands would love to make. ‘Evercircle’ is full of anthems of powerful melody, thoughtful arrangements and guitar breaks that split an atom with their genius. This is great listen and a welcomed change from the norm.
http://www.saidian.de
http://www.myspace.com/saidianband
