Metal Division

Labelling a band as 'brutal power metal' might seem like an oxymoron, but anyone familiar with the stylings of these German metallers will know exactly what I mean. Mystic Prophecy have been brutalizing metal's most melodic genre for nigh-on 20 years now, and they never ever implied they would be slowing down. Frankly, I'm pretty sick of this band getting shat on by vindictive critics for being 'generic'. Mystic Prophecy's inherent genericism is where the appeal lies; we know what we're getting with these guys: Pure. Fucking. Metal. A balls-to-the-wall attitude with soaring vocals, blazing solos and heavy-ass riffs. What's everyone's problem with that? Metal Division marks the Bavarian's 10th studio release (not counting 2018's Monuments Uncovered covers album) - and with such a landmark number comes what might be their heaviest record yet.

This might not have quite the level of viciousness as Ravenlord and Killhammer, or the sheer riff count of War Brigade, but it's for sure the chunkiest and most beefy sound of their career. The quintet are quick to make the most of this hefty guitar tone on the opening title-track. Picking up the tradition of having slow, martial, heavy-as-fuck opening title-tracks most albums since 2011 (niche thing to notice but, hey, I'm a die-hard fan) - "Metal Division" utterly flattens the listener with a weighty riff that sounds like the lovechild of Dream Evil's "Book Of Heavy Metal" and WarKings' "Hephaistos". This track sums up the band helpfully for all newcomers and provides fans with a warm familiarity akin to meeting an old friend and shaking their hand so hard that bones snap. At this point, the inimitable vocals of mainman R.D. Liapakis already prove themselves. The dude ages like a fine wine and, at the age of 51, still gives every other singer in the genre a run for their money. He's still using his deathly growls, mainly in the album's more brutal moments (more on them later!), but unfortunately not as often as the last CD. 

Mystic Prophecy songs generally fall into several categories, which are definitely adhered to on Metal Division: mid-paced and heavy (title-track, "Dracula", "Re-Incarnation"); mid-paced and melodic ("Hail To The King", "Here Comes The Winter", "Mirror Of A Broken Heart"); fast and melodic ("Eye To Eye", "Together We Fall"), and my personal favourite - fast and heavy: ("Curse Of The Slayer", "Die With The Hammer", "Victory Is Mine"). My only real complaint is that there may be a little too much of the mid-paced and melodic variety on this LP. By the time "Mirror Of A Broken Heart" appears, after the equally-paced - but thankfully groovy and riff-centric - "Re-Incarnation", I'm seriously ready for some more velocity and action. Fortunately, the barbaric "Victory Is Mine" is on hand to snap some necks with its firebomb approach and mid-section riff that's heavy enough to save a species from extinction. If we're honest, this is probably the best closing track for any MP album.

Along the same lines, my favourite song on the album is the ferocious "Die With The Hammer". Similar to previous bruisers like "Burning Out" and "Die Now", this is Mystic Prophecy at their absolute best. A brutish shout-along chorus, merciless riffing and a relentless pace that takes no prisoners. On the other end of the spectrum, "Here Comes The Winter" is the best of the mid-paced and melodic numbers thanks to its addictive melodies and brilliant chorus which showcases Liapakis at his most emotive. Overall, the flow of the album ensures nothing stagnates. Each track differs in tempo and feel from the last and it builds to an effective climax. Metal Division is a well-rounded, great heavy metal record with catchiness, heaviness and guitar solos galore. In other words: Pure. Fucking. Metal. Long may this band continue to melt our faces for years to come.