'NorthTale' is an international power metal band that was created by Brazilian-born guitarist 'Bill Hudson' and released a debut album 'Welcome to Paradise' in 2019 and has just released a second studio recording 'Eternal Flame', the line-up having changed slightly as Brazilian 'Guilherme Hirose' singer has now taken over from 'Christian Eriksson'. Fans of power metal distilling catchy melodic anthems, you are in the right place because the 12 compositions send heavy with influences ranging from Brazilian music to neo-classical through extreme metal, all this being supported by a frantic rhythm section.
And in a direct and effective speed power metal style, 'Only Human' (see video above) starts the hostilities with a heady first chorus and a fast tempo, then 'Wings of Salvation', much more varied, brings changes of intensity, rhythm and style with for example a neo-classical instrumental section in the second part of the track, the melodic lines still remaining very catchy. With 'Future Calls' (see video here) which sees the participation of the 'Hansen' family father and son, the frantic rhythm continues in a new melodic hit incorporating remarkable instrumental parts, then, a complete change of style with 'The Land of Mystic Rytes' which, in a rhythmic and tribal chanting, offers us a disorienting melody alternating with a more classic but still effective chorus. No pause to attack 'Midnight Bells' (see the video here) with a new addictive chorus, then the title track continues in a hellish tempo with drums still very fast, as does 'In the Name of God', slightly more moderate which alternates different tempos and intensities and 'Ride the Storm' with a new chorus that should be taken up in chorus in concert. We continue in the same style with 'King of Your Illusion', then, the cover of 'Judas Be y Guide' from 'Iron Maiden' which already dates back to 1982, shows the evolution of the recordings in a few decades highlighting an impressive firepower compared to the original, 'Jonas Heidgert', the singer of 'Destiny' being invited for the occasion. And to end on a high note, the 11-minute 'Nature's Revenge' takes us on a power metal epic that may recall the atmospheres of a 'Elysium' of 'Stratovarius', then, the outro 'Ivy' ends the album on an epic symphonic instrumental, contrasting with the rest, but which allows a deserved break after all this energy debauchery, especially since the whole thing offers only a few moments of respite.
In summary, power metal is doing well at the moment and after the Germans of 'Powerwolf' and 'Running Wild' and the French of 'Hopes of Freedom', 'NorthTale' releases a second album packed with good energy that should appeal to an audience that loves melodic anthems that can be tamed from the very first time you listen to them... | |
