Magnus Rising

Occasionally in regard to a full length album, a reviewer will remark how much better off the band would've been if they had released an EP of just the songs they (the reviewer) deem top-tier. This is the kind of thing such folk would drool at... the only difference is that there never was any poor material to cut away before this. It's Magnus Rising's very first offering, it is indeed an EP, and the quality is remarkable.

With 6 tracks and a run-time of 31 minutes, it's just enough material to satisfy any metal fan's desire for modern, well-written power metal (with traditional influences) with catchy hooks, strong vocals, un-cheesy lyrics and sweet solos. Magnus Rising's vocalist projects his voice with all the strength and passion of Bruce Dickinson circa 1985, and much like Bruce, never lets up for a second. Aaron's voice is entirely his own however... it's hard to compare him to anyone at all. MR's riffing style is very melodic, with solos that fit the music and never become overlong. The drum work is also excellent, featuring great emphasis on the cymbals, interesting rolls and quick, ear-catching fills.

"Levitate", the opener is (along with "The Possession of Saul Stone's Soul") the heaviest track, with a groovy, jolting, headbang-able main section, high-energy drumming and a lead bit that fades in and evolves into a searing solo. Examining "Someone Died" will have one finding a slightly simpler tune, with a hook that exclaims "Hey!" as the guitar and bass rumble, the crash bangs and the snare rolls. Coming out of a great secondary chorus and a blistering solo, Aaron harmonizes/yells madly before one last verse and a return to the "Hey!" refrain, 'til the guitarist and drummer bring it to a close. It's a hell of a fun song. The biggest highlight, though, is certainly "From the Ashes", a reflective mid-tempo power ballad with lyrics regarding death in a rather clever way... it feels despairing and yet uplifting at the same time. ("We will rise again / From these remains I remain / Dust to dust / Oh, just succomb")). Led by a picked clean guitar melody, a "distant thunder"-sounding bassline, Aaron's piercing bellows and the best refrain of the album, it's one of the best metal ballads I can name. It shows another side of Magnus Rising and proves that they can do a ballad just as well as a rockin' power metal anthem. This one was re-recorded for their first full-length, but doesn't quite size up to the version on this EP.

For a self-released album, the production sounds great. Nothing sounds muddled or thin whatsoever. This EP (and band in general) is recommended to power metal fans who want something melodic but more aggressive than the standard fare, or anyone who simply loves melodic metal. Highly recommended.

Stand-outs: Levitate, From the Ashes, Someone Died