THUNDER REIGNS „Evil One (1 track single promo)”

What can I say? Sometimes people should stick to the concept: less is more! It's too much lead crap with a sleazy style on top of the otherwise not bad Iron Maiden-like music. The lead guitarist seems to have a huge ego. He is not a bad player but I've heard this so many times before but with more feeling and better ideas. I hate those sqeaky high tones he punches out just too often. A good part of the song is just background music to the boring solo adventures… or am I just jealous that my fingers aren't this fast? The rhythm guitars lack heaviness and sound like some kind of cheap overdrive bought on sale… or did they just record the guitars in the bathroom? It all sounds a little too old for my taste. What bugs me the most is the hi-hat sound…. I know it should be like this because Iron Maiden had a similar hi-hat sound on the Number of the Beast album… but it sure as hell isn't this loud and annoying! How come the hi-hat is out of proportion in comparison to the rest of the rest of the drum kit?

The vocalist is very competent and the vocals are very similar to Bruce Dickinson's but sound a little more hoarse and there is not much falsetto here. He sounds a little like the guy from Twisted Sister (do you remember those clowns?). Bottom line: not bad at all! I guess I need more songs from these guys to say I either like (the chance for love is minimal!) or hate their music. By the way: the CD cover is ugly as hell!

note: 6 out of 10