Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Conquestador - Unconscious Tales 2004 Indy Release

Track Listing1. Dark Angel 2. A Killers Confession 3. Caught In An Unconscious Tale 4. Conquer Them All

I'm really getting a kick out of these indy bands of late, with none of these self financed groups really making anything that is just horrid. Everything from the production to the packaging seems to be right on par with most of your 80s styled label offerings. It seems like good production is more affordable these days, making it easier for smaller bands to compete with the corporate sounds. The underground metal scene worldwide is really starting to be looked at on the same page as your bigger label products. That is a positive thing and something that has really taken two decades to achieve.

Conquestador are another one of those indy acts that just appear out of nowhere, hailing from Tilburg, Holland. When I think of Holland I think of extreme death metal acts like Altar, but now it looks like some fine power metal is starting to surface from that region. Conquestador have released their new EP "Unconscious Tales", a follow-up to their demo "A Four Months History". The band has been in business since the early 2000s, and just recently announced the departure of vocalist Wido De Klein.

I kind of look at these guys in the same light as groups like Destillery, Castle Well, and a less stable Chinchilla. All of the European gallops are present, complete with some fast drum work on the part of Tom Heijnen, which is probably the highlight for me and the glue that keeps it all together. Opener "Dark Angel" rides a riproar of bass heavy rhythm, sounding a bit like early Iced Earth. "Killer's Confession" starts out rather small before stooping down to pick up a Helloween "Keepers" feel. The title track has a ferocious bass wallop before drifting into more of a mid-era Helloween vibe. "Conquer Them All" is a strong closing track, really driving home the traditional emphasis.

Vocalist De Klein really reminds me of Michael Kiske at times, sort of going mid-range to falsetto with his register. His delivery is strong, but at times he seems to be the weakest link for the band. I would really rather hear somebody completely over the top, or a Blaze-like singer at the helm of Conquestador. The middle of the road stuff doesn't match the extraordinary musical talent within the group. The songwriting could be worked on, but overall everything works very well other than the vocal problems. I'd like to see this band with a high class vocalist.

On par with bands like Destillery, Castle Well, and Chinchilla. May also please fans of fantasy metal.


--EC 11.23.04