Infinite Paths of the Maze

and probably feeling quite confused by the multiple times his name has been misspelt, intentionally or not. Yeah, even I got confused here as I’ve reviewed several acts with this demon-ish moniker, and I was quite positive I had honoured these folks here with a few paragraphs…

but no, I haven’t, probably lost in the maze or thereabouts, and I’m rushing here to correct this grave injustice as this combo from Colonia, New Jersey, definitely deserve to be better known, also thanks to their debut demo which was a nice speed/thrashing outburst with echoes of their compatriots Holy Terror and the Germans Deathrow (the early works), direct not very fussy stuff with a few innocent epic embellishments.

The maze to tread here is fairly spell-binding, woven of intricate power/thrashy configurations that would remind of the Realm efforts, above all, although the heightened progressive drama achieved on "Seer in Doubt" would make this opus a highlight on Fates Warning’s “Awaken the Guardian” even with ease, this one a consummate conglomerate of breath-taking balladic respites and sharp thrashy skirmishes. More precise clinical technical shredding arrives with "Forced Opinions", the twisted riffs turning in more than just the established four directions on our planet, trying to carve new paths with a couple of mind-scratching time-changes as well. A no-brainer second-to-none this last cut, it challenges “Dream State (Symphonic Depression)” for a duel the latter acquitting itself with smattering galloping strides ala Helstar’s “Nosferatu”, saddling the horses for a Wild West-styled glory ride.

The vocalist is a true find unleashing a deep emotional clean tenor that would make John Arch (Fates Warning) and Buddy Lackey (Psychotic Waltz) envious, following the infernal at times musical complexity unerringly, becoming more high-strung on several more demanding occasions. A great set-up this effort was for a potential full-length eye-opener, and at the very right time having in mind the more intriguing currents that emerged in the early-90’s. There was a sequel to the Astoroth saga, mind you, but it came in the form of an EP (“The Other Side”) released in 1996, and under a new name, Tanelorn. The style was less exuberant retro progressive power metal, not exactly the speed-peppered saga spearheaded by Blind Guardian on their quest for Tanelorn…

I guess our lads here are still lost in this maze they created once upon a time… a nice place to reside this one, comprising infinite possibilities for both intrepid artists and devoted unorthodox music seekers.