Metalium - State of Triumph - Chapter Two [2000]

Just when I think that Henning's voice couldn't possibly get higher, "Steel Avenger" proves me wrong. It's certainly following on the structure of the first disk, energy and all. "Years of Darion" is a bit more groove with quite a catchy chorus. "Break Out" starts off slow and eventually builds up to a moderate tempo... much more catchy guitar riffing than YoD, but the sound clip part after the solo is out of place and very distracting. "Erania" kicks it off fucking strong, but with a strange and quirky verse and eventually ending with what will surely be, by far, the peak of the album. Right into "Stygian Flames" which thrashes the listener around like a british nanny. The chorus of "Prophecy" saves the song a bit from the grip of boredom. This album doesn't have the same proficient songwriting or magic of the first one, but it's still pretty good in its own right.

Rating: 7.5

http://www.metalium.de/

All ratings are out of 10. Rating may not be a whole number.

Metalium - Millennium Metal: Chapter One [1999]

Fast and energetic start to the album with "Fight". EXTREMELY catchy as well. "Dream of Doom" slows things down a little. "Break the Spell" picks things up into a wonderfully catchy romp. The songwriting throughout this album is excellent. It manages to be more epic than bands with full orchestras and choirs behind them. Each song feels like it's own entity, but they all fit together to form what feels like a coherent story throughout the album. There's maybe only one weak song on here. They go through so many different types of Power Metal and writing styles that it's impossible to become bored while listening to this album... thrash, groove, heavy, melodic, ballad, and even a touch of folk. All that praising aside, the guitar distortion is too metallic and hollow... sounds like they're playing through aluminum cans.

Rating: 8.5

http://www.metalium.de/

All ratings are out of 10. Rating may not be a whole number.