Nine Kinds of Hell

Powers Court is fronted by the truly inimitable Danie Powers, whose bizarre and multi faceted personality wholesomely embodies and engulfs the spirit of the band turning it into this whirlwind of grand dynamism. By turns tender and tumultuous, the music operates on the tenets laid down by Iron Maiden and Mercyful Fate those many years ago. Bassist Steve Murray obviously finished well at the "Harris" Institute and Danie herself shrieks like King Diamond was her own personal vocal coach. There is a speed and aggression that may at first lend itself to the same drawing wells as Helstar and Iced Earth, but closer inspection reveals a love for Judas Priest, Motorhead and Fate in the arrangements and execution.

The songs themselves are pure works of art. Danie dazzles with a seemingly bottomless well of licks and riffs. Nothing sounds tedious and repetitive. She learned from the masters and she learned well. "Agnostica" opens with a Ross The Boss-ish trembly but heavy as a million thunders solo which then acidly revisits Black Sabbath's signature melodic phrase from "Under The Sun" (surely you know the one I mean) before delving into some Rush-esque breaking riffs. All the material is governed by a mighty and powerful heaviness that never falters yet never monopolizes the atmosphere. The band manages to create a similar tension that made Mercyful Fate's "Satan's Fall" and Iron Maiden's "Hallowed Be Thy Name" such classics. They throw around a groove that accelerates to a dramatic and unnerving climax and do it with such formidable grace and ease.

Occultism is of course the major lyrical theme and Danie treats it with a reserved mystical air. She whispers in hushed ominous tones, screeches and yelps, careens like some foreign bird and soars gloomily like an angel falling southwards. On "House Of Sorrow" she takes the operatic route, wailing tenderly over a sea of thrashing metal mayhem while on the darkly majestic and mystical "Tanzania" she serenades wickedly above riffs stolen from the death metal department. This particular song also maintains an epic quality that will be immediately appreciated by those who lauded Manilla Road's "Spiral Castle" record.

"Nine Kinds Of Hell" is a dark record bathed in the light of ancient metal. It manages to sound unique and fresh while keeping within the boundaries of traditional metal. It is a record that ought to be talked about more as should any roots heavy metal record that accomplishes the not so easy feat of transcending triteness yet maintaining tradition.

Reviewed in The Metal Inquisitor #3-USA-2001
By: Erik Saunders

Take the fast and furious guitars of ICED EARTH, the dark, gothic-horror aspects of KING DIAMOND and MERCYFUL FATE along with KD's vocal acrobatics...and then double them! Add in the high glass shattering vocals of old Savatage, Jon Oliva era, along with the demonic possessed vocals of old CARCASS at times, then stir well with traditional midrange the likes of DIO and DICKINSON and you're just beginning to scratch the surface of POWERS COURT.

While this band has some roots in 80s metal with their traditional melody meets flesh shredding guitar work, they definitely are a unique unit that encompasses many styles on this album, even managing to create a few of their own!

A singer who boasts a 4 1/2 octave voice (and listening to this you'd swear it was more like 6!), a fast and furious bass player that sounds like Geddy Lee sold his soul to Satan and then overdosed on steroids, drumming that will hammer you into the ground and laugh mercilessly as you bleed profusely... this has to be heard to be believed!

It is so refreshing to finally hear a band that is breaking new ground yet staying well within the boundaries of what true metal is all about.

From the opening 'TRAGEDY OF FAUST' which sends chills up your spine and brutally bangs your face on the floor to the lavish, moody ballad 'CONQUISTADOR' this album has it all. Matter of fact if I had to be on a deserted island with only one metal CD, hands down this would be my choice right now.

Innovative and fresh with brilliant musicianship, guitar work that smacks of ICED EARTH, BLACK SABBATH, OLD OZZY (Randy Rhoads era), IRON MAIDEN, SLAYER, MANILLA ROAD along with a completely unique approach that is so great to hear in this era of power metal clone bands.

The vocals are the most outstanding feature as I said, nearly a 5 octave voice that gives the release such incredible variety, depth and emotion. This CD has what every other new release is missing, major creativity. Haunting melodies, brutal guitar work and just sheer evil and brooding ambience that will take you places you've never been before. Turn off the lights, put on your headphones and astral travel with these guys, incredible.

If you're looking for something new, unique, different and brilliantly executed, dive in head first, you won't be disappointed. If you're set in your ways and stuck on the conservative, monotonous, traditional 'don't jolt me I'm an old man' power metal scene, you best curl up with your old Hammerfall releases and pray that your boring life comes swiftly to an end, cos this band will rip your soul out and shred any preconceived notions of what metal should be. The new wave of heavy metal has arrived finally... praise these gods of metal for delivering us from the current sea of sameness! Ave Powers Court! (10/10)