Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Celestial Ode - S/T - reviewed by: EC

Track Listing1. Merciless Attack 2. Mind's Cell 3. The Altar 4. The Loser 5. Keep Your Religion

I was really happy to open my mailbox and find this hard to find gem awaiting me. The band sent me a copy upon request and I thank them very much for that because I really enjoy this groovy power metal band from Greece.

Celestial Ode offer us their 5 track self titled EP, an EP that I find very promising for the band, and give us a good dose of modern power metal. The disc starts with Merciless Attack, which is one of my favorite of the 5 cuts. I was surprised to hear traditional power metal vocals mixed with "cookie monster" growls. Very original and adds a nice touch to the song. Mind's Cell follows with a short acoustic passage before smashing the walls with an Iced Earth "Stand Alone" type riff throughout, punctuated by vocalist Manos Xanthakis soaring voice. The band throws some Pantera stylings in the next song, The Altar, following that with the band's ballad piece, a love song entitled The Loser.

Celestial Ode get back on track with the stylish Keep Your Religion, reminding me of a less keyboardy Angel Dust or even Canada's Eidolon. All five tracks are very well done, with good packaging and the low budget recording isn't terrible by any means. I would love to see this band get picked up by Sanctuary, Century Media, or even a smaller group like Remedy or Arise. Good job all around, but please get rid of the snake skeleton mascot...he is just too creepy.

--Reviewed by EC 4.04.03