Collision Course: Paradox II
Royal Hunt
Released – 2008 by Frontiers Records
Track List
1. Principles Of Paradox
2. The First Rock
3. Exit Wound
4. Divide And Reign
5. High Noon At The Battlefield
6. The Clan
7. Blood In Blood Out
8. Tears Of The Sun
9. Hostile Breed
10. Chaos A.C. |
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This album marks a new chapter in Royal Hunt’s history with the introduction of Mark Boals (ex Yngwie Malmsteen, Ring of Fire) on vocals to become the fourth front man since the band’s inception. This effort is also a follow up to the successful ‘Paradox’ album and one that is considered by many as one of their best.
‘Paradox II’ continues the same themes as the previous title (all pretty heavy issues really). Think God, religion, West vs East, global problems etc. Heavy content of course requires heavy instrumentation and Royal Hunt deliver in that respect with operatic, melodic and progressive metal capped off by Mark Boals theatrical vocals. He also gives Royal Hunt a different sound, something fans seem to feel was necessary after some lack lustre albums in recent years.
Where the vocals are different the actual musicianship is typical Royal Hunt and top notch at that. It’s all very dramatic, multi-layered and powerful giving each track the impact it deserves. Beginning very slow and orchestral on the opening track things soon kick off with ‘The First Rock’. Boals screams and pierces with ease, a feature throughout, while the band pile up the powerful melodies, ominous keys, dramatised strings and huge almost classical styled metal.
The album is a continuous, flowing, concept piece with a lot of dark undertones and some good tempo shifts and twists. By all accounts this is a return to form for Royal Hunt and as a Euro styled, neo-classical, prog, melodic, metal album, ‘Paradox II’ stands up well. It’s not as good as the first instalment from 1997 but sequels are very rarely as good as the original.
Visit: www.royalhunt.com – www.myspace.com/royalhuntmusic
DirtyRock.net review by ‘Jonni Starr’ 2008
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