Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Arthemis - Back From The Heat - 2005 - Underground Symphony

Track Listing1. Rise Up From The Ashes 2. Only Your Heart Can Save Us 3. Free Spirit 4. Desert Storm 5. Star Wars 6. Touch The Sky 7. Here Comes The Fury 8. Ocean's Call 9. The Vampire Strikes Back 10. Thunder Wrath 11. I Wanna Rock (Bonus)

Italy's Arthemis have been a solid band for the Underground Symphony label for quite some time. The band released their sophomore album, "The Damned Ship", for the record company in 2001. The band then followed in 2003 with "Golden Dawn". In mid-2005 the band re-recorded their underground debut "Church Of The Holy Ghost", following in the footsteps of bands like Edguy and Dungeon, who have both gained popularity by bringing back the past in a quest to further their own career. Now the group have unleashed their brand new album, "Back From The Heat", a smooth, polished venture into the realms of fast, melodic power metal.

Fans of Helloween, Stratovarius, Made Of Iron, and even Iron Fire should find plenty to like here. Longtime fans of Arthemis will be happy to know that the group are still playing back to the roots, quality traditional metal with plenty of speed and catchy hooks. I've never been overly familiar with Arthemis' earlier albums, but I do know enough to confidently say the band are on the same path here. At times the band sound as if they are from Sweden, with opening cut "Rising From The Ashes" sounding like a faster version of Hammerfall or Dream Evil. But the band doesn't quite paint themselves into a corner, instead just merely using that classic metal sound as a firm foundation on which to build hard rock hooks, blazing leads, and even a bit of neo-classical elements. Of course the group still dish out some high speed, heavy numbers to please the German crowds.

Cuts like "The Vampire Strikes Again" and "Desert Storm" are hell blazers, offering up speedy affairs complete with fantastic lead work. The AOR and hard rock sounds can be found on the groovy cuts like "Free Spirit" and "Star Wars". The group even showoff some more emotional, slower paced songs like the Sonata Arctica styled "Touch The Sky" and "Ocean's Call", which are also reminiscent of Axel Rudi Pell. Vocalist Alessio Garavello has a vocal style similar to Michael Kiske of Helloween fame, and that voice fits well with all speeds of the band. Favorite cuts for me are the faster, more straight forward selections. Obvious highlights are "Rising From The Ashes" and "Here Comes The Fury". Highly recommended for any power metal fan out there!

--EC 12.02.05