Hellriot is the 12th studio album from this German metal institution and I’m hoping this will be the one to get them the attention they deserve. I’m not holding my breath, though, and that’s a shame because when it comes to classic PRIEST/DIO inspired metal with a kick, MYSTIC PROPHECY is hard to beat.
This is the kind of record that you’re glad when the band tries nothing new. They don’t really need to. They’ve staked out this territory and dominate it…to me, they should be on the same level as PRIMAL FEAR. Their singer R.D. Liapakis has always been a hidden treasure of the metal world with his smoky, impassioned tones hitting just the right note. Now you can accuse the band of stagnation and I won’t argue that point strenuously, but goddammit, they sure put a lot of fire and passion in their work. Hellriot starts with the slamming crunch of the title track and never looks back, delivering an album of 3-4 and a half minute metal tunes rooted in the faster side of JUDAS PRIEST and DIO. There’s always a big, singalong chorus, a wailing guitar solo and lyrics about demons, hell and the end of the world. This is the MYSTIC PROPHECY formula, and they do not apologize for it.
On this album, it’s all pretty consistent, but ‘Metal Attack’ and ‘Revenge And Fire’ seem to hit the hardest, while ‘Road To Babylon’ and ‘Cross The Line’ are a bit more melodic and composed. On last track ‘World On Fire’, there’s even some pedal steel guitar and this is about as experimental as MYSTIC PROPHECY gets these days. Yes, lyrically the band is pretty cliched, I don’t deny it, but this is one of the few bands that draws strength from the cliches. Get out there and do your duty…put MYSTIC PROPHECY on the metal map.
Review By: Dr. Abner Mality
MYSTIC PROPHECY
Hellriot
Rock Of Angels Records