BRAINSTORM - Liquid Monster
March 16, 2005, 19 years ago
(Metal Blade)
Now THIS is some kind of monster! Finally harnessing the live emotion on disc, this sounds like the outfit that played North America twice last year. While some of the past songwriting lacked an edge, these 11 tracks grab your infectious nerve and won't let go. Confident (not relying on tricks, nor the beaten power metal path), the Germans stake claims to the fringe exhibited only by a few bands, those capable of playing the melodic and heavy with equal aplomb (a la Evergrey). First single 'All Those Words' is a little commercial, apart from the backing female vocals, and ripping solo and 'Heavenly' is an acoustic ballad. Rest assured the remainder stays clear of this direction, particularly 'Lifelong' with a chugging Halford-esque guitar attack. Actually, the guitars are very aggressive throughout, as are the drums. 'Invisible Enemy', with its sitar, piano and odd instrumentation, is this album's take on 'Shiva's Tears'.
