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Does anyone know Autumn Lords from Sweden? Okay, if you know them, then you know the band which was the predecessor of Meduza. If not, just listen to the disc! The band of guitarist Stefan Berg, bassist Jonas Edström and drummer Ola Grönlund are playing together for 15 years. In keyboarder Jan Larsson completes their sound and when the time of the recordings was coming, they had to find a singer. And they found Apollo who was in Majestic and sang on their album Trinity Overture. With Apollo they found the perfect singer for Meduza. Musically they play fast melodic metal. The title track is a up-tempo track with a catchy vocal line where Apollo can show his best. The keyboard parts and chorus remind me a little bit of Royal Hunt. At all it can be said that there are similarities to Sonata Arctica, Majestic and Stratovarius. But they are no copycats and remember, nowadays it's almost impossible to create something absolutely new. On Sleep the band starts balladesque, then speed up and the song becomes an epic mid-tempo track. Apollo adds his intensive, emotional vocals to the partly acoustic, partly orchestral music. Another track to check out is Touch The Sky, there quintet shows their best, filigree guitars, orchestral keyboard parts, great hook lines and the melodic, strong voice of Apollo. But not to forget the basis, the drums and bass lines which are the playground for Stefan Berg's superb guitar play. With Holy Ground they have recorded a real fast track with double bass drum and screaming, but filigree guitar lines. So, they have everything from a ballad to the fast songs, but always catchy. Now they just have to find their own sound, but they have the ability to make it big.... But fans will decide, coz they have to buy the album. A tour might help... Time will tell!
The album was recorded in the LaRoque's Los Angered Studios in Gothenburg with producer Mike Wead (e.g. Mercyful Fate, King Diamond and Momento More), so nothing to complain sound-wise. The artwork is done by none other than Kristian Wahlin and shows Medusa as a reference to the band's name.
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