Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Mystic Prophecy - Never- Ending - Nuclear Blast- 2005

Track Listing 1.Burning Bridges 2.Time Will Tell 3.Under A Darkened Sun 4.Dust Of Evil 5.In Hell 6.Never Surrender 7.Wings Of Eternity 8.When I'm Falling 9.Warriors Of Lies 10.Dead Moon Rising 11.Never-Ending

Good grief I never thought a power metal band could be so evil. I mean don't get me wrong those of you who have heard Solemnity are probably thinking that I don't know what I am talking about but this is really evil for Mystic Prophecy. I mean their past two albums haven't even touched on Satan or anything evil like that at all. And then to go and do an album talking about the Dark Prince and have it pretty much be a concept album about Satan is just insane, but in a good way. Mystic Prophecy is comprised of Roberto Dimitri Liapakis (vocals, also in Valley's Eve), Gus G. (guitars, also in Dream Evil, Firewind, Nightrage), Martin Albrecht (bass, also in Valley's Eve) and Dennis Ekdahl (drums and not sure what other bands he has been in).

Now that the formalities are aside lets get on to the review. This album has everything a power metal/metal fan is looking for. Galloping guitar riffs, screaming solos, strong vocals, and great back up with drums and bass. There are many songs on the album that you wouldn't expect to hear what is coming through your speakers after purchasing a power metal CD but that's the beauty of music and it's creators. It constantly surprises you and leaves you breathless and jaw dropped at times. This album is very much like that as in it is just vicious and comes out straight for the jugular from the start. The intro song " Burning Bridges" is quite deceiving because it starts out very quietly and then the guitars kick in and you just get beaten down by the music that comes out of the speakers. Then you hear Liapakis sing and the guitar work of Gus G. and it's almost enough to make you want to throw up the devil horns immediately. Then "Time Will Tell" just comes out with an ass kicking opening and that continues throughout the song. That is the typical pattern that follows with most of the songs on the album with the exception of "Never Surrender" which starts out heavy and then moves into an almost ballad style feel. The heaviest track on the album is the last song with lyrics, "Dead Moon Rising" which has a big thrash feel to it and if it weren't for the rest of the album being just as heavy would almost seem out of place. The only complaint I have, be it a minor one, is that the album ends with an instrumental track "Never-Ending". I would feel that the album would finish stronger if "Dead Moon Rising" were the final track but then again I guess that's why I'm not an artist and that is how the band felt it best to end the album. For those of you curious about the vocals let me say that Liapakis isn't an overpowering singer or a singer with a voice that cuts through you with his range. Rather, he delivers vocals with feeling and emotion that just add to the atmosphere of this album.

Overall this is just a really damn good album and the production is crisp and clear. If you are not familiar with Gus G. and his guitar work it definitely shines through on this album, showing that he is capable of ripping it up or just playing catchy riffs. This is definitely an album that took me by surprise and if it weren't for the new Judas Priest record coming out on March 1st this would probably remain in my player for a good while. But any fan of metal should definitely check this out and if you are looking for a new band or some new power metal CD that isn't the same ol' stuff, you should go out and buy this album as quickly as you can. Because I have a feeling that once people start hearing this material it's gonna go quick.


-Chaoslord 03.28.05