Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Babylon - Tales Of Doom: Chapter 1 - 2005 - Man In Black Music

Track Listing1. The Nightmare 2. Reach For The Sun 3. St. Crispen's Day

US metal gets a new entry with Babylon, an entertaining metal act from Portland, Oregon. "Tales Of Doom: Chapter 1" marks the first chapter in the band's EP trilogy. The band plan on releasing the next two chapters later this year, but for now we have the first chapter finished and in the can. "Chapter 1" is a really good effort from this group, with true metal label Man In Black Music on board to bring us the metal goods.

I don't know a whole lot about this band, but from the label's website it explains that Babylon was born from the ashes of New Wave band Psycho. This new version of the group is very interesting to me simply because they sound German. "Chapter 1" has a huge Tuetonic feel to it, almost like a Grave Digger or Gladiators type of sound. Vocalist Bryce Van Patten, who also sits behind the drum kit, has a rather rough delivery, almost sounding like Chris Boltendahl (Grave Digger) at times. His voice is very low in this mix, but it is an underground release and I've come to expect, if not welcome, that sort of thing. Eddie Nixon fills out the guitarist slot in fine fashion, really highlighting this release with some tremendous lead work. Bassist Allen Grey finishes the three piece off.

This EP contains three tracks, one of which is unfortunately an instrumental intro in "The Nightmare". After that comes "Reach For The Sun", a great power metal cut that just sprints right out of the gate. Eddie Nixon does a great job with the strings here, galloping along in Euro style and mixing in some soaring leads. The chorus works out quite well here, adding in a bit of a sing-along feel to the track. The EP closes with "St. Crispen's Day", a song that really captures that German power mood, with Grave Digger and Unrest coming to mind.

Unfortunately there isn't a whole lot to say about three songs. Babylon have pulled off a great effort here, with this short recording being very enjoyable and entertaining. I'm looking forward to the next chapter and hope to see this band get an opportunity to open for some larger acts. Men In Black Music looks very promising, with the likes of The Prowlers and Dr. Mastermind among their large roster.


--EC 06.16.05