Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Guardians Of Time
Title
Machines Of Mental Design
Type
LP/EP
Company
Facefront Records
YOR
2003
Style
Power
12/31/2003 - Review by: Eric Compton
Guardians Of Time-Machines Of Mental Design 2003 Facefront Records

Track Listing
On What is to come:
1. Logging on
2. Faceless Society
3. The Rise of TriOpticon
On a new Era:
4. More than Man
5. TriOpticon
6. Machines of Mental Design
A Snake in Paradise:
7. Puppets of the Mainframe
8. War Within
9. Escaping Time
10. A Secret Revealed
What is the End?:
11. Point of no Return
12. Intervention from Beyond
13. The Journey

Guardians Of Time return with their follow-up to the 2001 debut "Edge Of Tomorrow", this time focusing on a more mature approach at songwriting, musicianship, and production. After a contract dispute with label Crazy Life Music, these talented Norwegians have a new label and a whole new attitude on this release.

"Machines Of Mental Design" is a concept album centered around a young woman who builds a super computer to help "cleanse" the human race. The idea goes horribly wrong and the Guardians Of Time are brought in to defeat her and the computer technology that has taken over the planet. I've always enjoyed concept albums, but have often felt that the songs don't stand on their own when played individually or randomly. With this concept, that really isn't a problem. This material stays true to the concept, but can easily be viewed seperately.

This group's first album, "Edge Of Tomorrow", really lost me. I loved the speed and dead-on accuracy of the guitars, bass, and drums, but the paths to the melody and identity became too conjested, leaving me wanting more but at the same time wanting a little less. With "Edge Of Tomorrow", Guardians Of Time seemed to crowd too much into the music at one time, leaving the listener sonically abused and frustrated as the album wandered through song after song of speed and velocity, never to relax and let the music just find its own course. This happens to so many bands, and like the rest, I shelved "Edge Of Tomorrow" and moved on.

Now, Guardians Of Time have promised a more valuable listening experience, with "Machines Of Mental Design" marked as a much more controlled effort and a top notch album of thinking man's metal. Gone are the confused passages and the almost mindless approach at song arrangement, replaced with a much more calculated formula to songwriting and melody. Vocalist Bernt Fjellstad really sticks to his guns here, putting it in high gear when necessary, but relaxing more and letting the true emotion of the writing take its toll. Guitarist Paul Olsen continues his razzle-dazzle flash on this record, allowing plenty of speedy renditions but stopping to let the harmony soak in with fellow guitarist Rune Schellingerhout. The two make a lethal combo, reminding us of famed chemistry like Smith & Murray and Tipton-Downing.

Each track here is absolutely brilliant, each a fireball of doom sent out of control, ransacking all opposing forces but never letting the sheer awe get ahead of itself. Opener "Logging On" may be my favorite track, sounding like Edguy on its best day crossed with Iron Maiden sensations. Fjellstad is calm and composed at the helm, providing some of the best vocal melody I've heard in years. Same goes for "TriOpticon", with its Boston-like chorus. Running Wild and Gamma Ray run rampant through "The Rise Of TriOpticon" and "Machines Of Mental Design", with plenty of fast footwork from drummer Vidar Uleberg. "Puppets Of The Mainframe" is an epic dream, with its unplugged moments and Fjellstad's "Beyond The Realms Of Death" vocal treatment. "War Within" is a well played race winner, sounding more like American-made metal ala Iced Earth.

I love this record. Its a well made heavy metal album that I'm proud to say I've heard and thoroughly enjoyed. Guardians Of Time have returned and returned in triumphant fashion. I hope the band can continue this upward spiral in the right direction. If so, this band could take over.


--EC 12.24.03


  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: GUARDIANS OF TIME
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Machines Of Mental Design
2003
Facefront Records
Eric Compton12/31/2003
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: GUARDIANS OF TIME
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE
Paul OlsenEric Compton12/31/2003


<< back >>