Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Overlord's Perpetual - ST - 2005 - Sonic Age Records

Track Listing1. Perpetual 2. Majesty 3. Immortal Hymn 4. Prince Of Darkness 5. Empire Of Shadows 6. The Overlord 7. I Can't Wait 8. I'll Never Try Again 9. Melancholy

It has really taken me some time to put down words on this new release from Greece's best label, Sonic Age Records. This time around they bring us a young guitarist named Overlord (no relation to the band Overlorde also on Sonic Age) and his band Perpetual. Just like Yngwie Malmsteen, who this guy is compared to quite often, Overlord has his own band in Perpetual. The band is simply known as Overlord's Perpetual, clearing up that little bit of confusion right off the bat. I really enjoy guitar driven records, with Axel Rudi Pell, Malmsteen, and Impellitterri all being masterminded by guitar greats and all fitting into my endless list of favorite albums of all time. With that being said it is hard for me to judge and review these types of records simply because I don't know the fundamentals or the instrument that well. My musical experience never made it past playing the recorder in elementary school. So for me to review this guitarist's work is going to be tough, so what I will do is simply look at the album like everything else. Is it a good spin? Is it quality heavy metal? Will Odin like it? That sort of thing. So with that out of the way, let's look at this Mr. Overlord and what he is bringing to the metal legions.

This 21 year old rookie sensation has assembled a steady unit here, bringing in Bob Katsionis and V. Axiotis, who are known for their work with the likes of Phantom Lord, Nightfall, and Battle Roar. Overlord shows off a rare talent indeed, the ability to play neo-classical style guitar that worships the "axe gods" before him but also allows him plenty of room to build modern influences into his sound. For the most part Overlord to me sounds like a cross between Malmsteen and Axel Rudi Pell, simply because his riffs aren't bombastic and heavy, they are just fresh, flashy sounds of pure power and speed with technical skills to spin circles around many of today's "Guitar World" heroes. This guy is good and at this point in his career just as good as many of today's guitar icons and heroes. With his debut self titled album Overlord has created a world filled with progressive power and symphonic arrangements. The keyboards never sound too thick and atmospheric, instead they are far in the background just expanding a bit on the speedy gallops of this fine picker. Along with the songwriting, compositions, and arrangements, this young superstar also took on the role of producer, lending a polished sound to his musical endeavor.

Fans of Malmsteen and other guitar driven acts like Royal Hunt, Axel Rudi Pell, and even Racer X will find plenty to like about this one. From the first song to the last Overlord just absolutely shreds, sometimes at the speed of light and other times simply taking it step by step, delivering quality, mid-paced power metal that can be easily grasped by fans who don't have a musical ear so to speak. This is a very enjoyable metal album filled with bursts of energy and metal passion, completely dominating the listener with calculated melodies and catchy hooks. This is just fantastic and really ranks on my list very highly as one youngster to watch out for.


--EC 04.13.2005