Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Celesty Legacy Of Hate 2004 Arise Records - Reviewed by: IcedMojo

Track Listing1. Intro 2. Unbreakable 3. Dream 4. Breed from the Land Unknown 5. Army of the Universe 6. Settlement 7. Shelter 8. Legacy of Hate Part I I. Blood of our Enemies II. Before the Sword III. Confused Thoughts IV. Betrayal 9. Legacy of Hate Part II I. Battlefield II. The Departure III. Ride of Amardon IV. Ending

Have you ever sat and wondered what will happen if you mixed the sheer brutality of black metal vocals ala Dimmu Borgir with a pure death metal growl and power metal vocals. Guitar riffs that can only equal that of Mat Sinner or the late, great Criss Oliva, an array of talent such as Iced Earth or Primal Fear, melodic hooks of Axenstar or Hammerfall? What do you get? The answer is “Legacy Of Hate” by Celesty.

Formed in 1998, this marks the second release since the guys from Finland signed with Arise Records in 2002. Although staying true to the power, “Legacy Of Hate” does have a darker aspect to it. I assume it is due to the fact that the group wanted to travel a different direction than vocalist Kimmo Perämäki, causing him to leave.

From the opening intro, this even has the epic horror feel. Add tracks of pure power such as “Unbreakable”, “Dream” and "Settlement", mixed with the non-traditional power vocals on this album and you find yourself in pure bliss. The final 2 tracks on the album have a “Dantes Inferno” (Iced Earth) feeling and although it is a bit more ballady sounding, they make up for it with the kick ass power they possess.

In short, this is another power metal fantasy epic (The parents of a diseased child looking for a magic sword as well as the four elements), but it'ss written with the precision that is a rarity. I wish I could go into a bit more detail but this is one album deserving of a listen. Must I spell it out for you? GIVE THE DISC A WHIRL!

Rating: If their first album “Reign of Elements” was named best debut album in 2002, this has to be the best follow-up. With Kimmo Perämäki leaving the vocal post, the direction that Antti Railio has added has definitely put this group in the class that has power and staying ability. As a fan of the band after “Reign of Elements”, I would say 9/10. I will say this seems to be a more methodic and tighter album. Also, this album has more of an epic feel to it, which puts them in contention with the great epic album writers like Iced Earth, Blind Guardian and Grave Digger to name a few.

Extra: Richard Andersson of “Time Requiem” performs one of the fanciest keyboard solo’s I have ever heard on “Settlement. Other guilty parties include Kimmo Perämäki (Vocals), J.-P Alanen (Guitar), Tapani Kangas (Guitar), Ari Katajamäki (Bass), Jere Luokkamäki (Drums), and Juha Mäenpää (Keyboards).


--IcedMojo 05.19.04