IMAGIKA

    ...And So It Burns

   - 8 -

I'd like to start off by thanking my editor, Chris, for introducing me to IMAGIKA.  This is my first IMAGIKA album, and I have never heard their self-titled debut nor their sophomore album Worship, so unfortunately I have no way of comparing it to their previous works.  But oh what a work this is!  Power/Thrash is one of my favorite Metal mediums, and these guys get it done like true professionals.

The album opens with a classic intro track, like the ascent on that first hill of a rollercoaster.  A minute later, and you nose-dive into one of the best tracks on the album, "Chaos to Murder."  Some of the best guitar sounds I've ever heard in Thrash metal rip, shred, and chug their way through a frenzy of sonic mayhem.  Great soloing abounds here, and really helps to keep the music pumping at what feels like 100+ mph.  This is an energy level which barely diminishes from start to finish; even the closer, "Fade Away" maintains a great energy level, combining great acoustics with terriffic musicianship.

I have a couple of complaints.  As you all probably know by now, I'm incredibly picky when it comes to vocals, and as usual I've found something wrong with IMAGIKA's.  Singer David Michael seems to have a bit of a habit of shrieking off-key.  Now, I realize that the entire concept of doing such is a mainstay in Power Metal, which is, of course, a sphere of metal that IMAGIKA specialize in, but still, I at least found it grating on my nerves at times.  Another big problem is the somewhat muddy production this album suffers with, despite a great guitar sound.  It just comes out as flat, dampened, and somewhat muted, which really detracts from the overall product.

What great proof that the American Metal scene isn't dead yet.  I'm so glad I was introduced to this band, and this album, and I think you'll be glad you are too.  This is Power/Thrash the way it was meant to be played.
 
 

Contributed by Matt Gold

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