EMPYROS RELEASES !!! ...In 2007 year, a new bass player and drummer have joined the band, changing left in 2005 members, then band has started recording a first album "The Spectre of Ballantre". Frequent members changing hasn't allowed to make it earlier. Album was recorded at S.F.E.Records. It's a 8 tracks with a social theme lyrics...
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Empyros is one of the very few Estonian metal bands. It is formed back in 2002 and now six years after the formation of the band they are ready with their first full-length album entitled The Spectre of Ballantre. The album contains 8 tracks of heavy and thrashes metal with traditional lyrics dealing with social themes. This album has only been made in 200 demo copies, so being a lucky receiver of one of them I'm more than thrilled. All of the eight tracks are a mix of traditional heavy metal combined with rage and aggression of thrash metal. It is heavy piece of music with fast and boiling guitars, but it is also speedy and powerful. The work of Mr. Condrad on drums is predictable yet it is powerful and insane. The vocals are traditional heavy metal vocals with huge emphasis on the clear singing but there're also a few breaks with some screams and growls. When it comes to the production I might also say it is satisfying having in mind it is only a demo release, but there's sure a space for the improvement when it comes to the sound. Also cover artwork is not the one that will automatically lead your thoughts towards a rock/heavy/thrash material. In general I must conclude that this CD will introduce the band to the wider European audience in nice manner showing that also they have something to offer to the overcrowded metal scene. But to say that this is groundbreaking or even unique material, it will simply not be true. I will highly recommend this CD to any heavy/thrash fanatic, but also to those metal fans that look for some strange, obscure and 'exotic' metal releases. For more info on Empyros please visit www.empyros.net orwww.myspace.com/empyrosband http://metal-revolution.com/plugins/content/content.php?content.1461
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EMPYROS - ''The Spectre of Ballantre'' Country: Estonia EMPYROS is a young and fresh power/heavy metal band from... Estonia! Wow, propably I have never heard any band from this country, but now I've got a good occassion to do that. First of all, when I heard EMPYROS for first time I was really impressed. I would never think that in Estonia might be such good power/heavy metal band. My positive thoughts are a result of listening to EMPYROS demo. These eight songs are good example of being young, creative with loads of ideas. EMPYROS might be a great band in Estonia but not at all maybe in whole Eastern Europe. Time will show. Nowadays EMPYROS is a band of four young and really beloved to metal man. Four guys in oldschool line-up mixed their all fascinations and tried to play all that they love to. Result of their work is as I said power/heavy metal (mostly power), familliar to German heavy metal scene with a Swedish power touch. I think that comparision to other heavy/power metal bands is unnecessary. Even if they are playing with a specific way and maybe more simillar to other band it is not worth to mention. EMPYROS is a band from which is still looking for their music direction and for now and today their searches are quite awesome. Just to mention really impressing and flashy guitar work of Alekso and Roman. These two play really chugging and melodic riffs, mostly in a fast paced rhytmics. The highlight point of the whole album is solo riffage of guitarists. Cathy melodic, full of heavy metal spirit and technique ish solo parts are simply very good. By the way. One of the guitar players (and also main vocalist) is called Alekso - I dont know how... but not only his name is simillar to Alexi Laiho. Also his low-mid high pitched vocals are remind me Alexi Laiho. I could say that Alekso from EMPYROS is a heavy metal version of Alexi Laiho. Maybe it is some kind of recommendation, but unfortunately it also might be negative. Decision how Alekso sing - good or bad belongs to you - listeners. Production of the demo album is quite good. Band has recorded their material in their own (am I right?) studio. So the sound of this material is exacly like band want to and expected. Maybe in future other bands can record their stuff in EMPYROS record studio. Who knows. Rate? Strong eight I think.
http://www.metalcentre.com/webzine.php?p=reviews&nr=2905&lang=eng
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As long as there are bands playing Metal from all over the world, rehearsing in garages and saving money for the recording of a demo or self-financed CD, the underground basis for Metal music will carry on showing the honest path for bands to preserve the Metal ideals. Esthonia's EMPYROS is one of these bands, thankfully. Hailing from Tallinn, the quartet was founded in 2002. Their taste lies towards the Heavy/Speed side of Metal music, with some Thrash elements and a good doze of dual leads reminding of IRON MAIDEN or METALLICA in their prime times(s). Alesko's vocals are harsh, primitive enough yet in-tune and rather persuasive. He spits out every word, while he seems lunatic in faster parts. The guitar riffs are full of anger, whereas at times they become quite melodic - based on the 80s 'stuff' - and it should be mentioned that the work done in the solos is impressive. The songwriting base is also notable. There's variety in grooves, you will not get bored at any track, and EMPYROS seems they have put a lot of effort in this album. The drums/bass lines are not something to get excited listening to, but I feel this is better since - this way - the listener can take a closer look to the 'trademark' guitar work. The leads do also sound more 'fine' than the rest of the instruments/vocals. Still, for a demo release the production would be described as more than convincing. The cover artwork, not to forget, initially brought to mind something familiar to METAL CHURCH or MORGANA LEFAY, which is not out of the band's scope, to tell you the truth. The ongoing six-string melodies will probably make juvenile Metal fans think EMPYROS' music would resemble to some of the NWOSDM likes. Well, this is not the case here, I suppose, since "The Spectre Of Ballantre" (really, is it a concept album') mainly focuses on more 'pure' Metal material. I really hope some labels will probably listen to this 8-track CD and the band gets a contract offer (if they wish so, of course). If you are familiar with the 'exotic Metal' term, then EMPYROS is on this side of the stream.
http://www.metal-temple.com/review.asp?id=3016
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