Black Fate - Between Visions & Lies

Black Fate

Between Visions & Lies

by YngwieViking at 29 October 2014, 1:44 AM

This is the fourth album for this courageous band from Larissa in Greece, the name BLACK FATE could be perceived as premonitory, as this outlet is still struggling with fortune, showing an immense dedication since 1990. With already three release under its belt and going back and forth with the traditional stroke of bad luck, musical chairs, split and label changes, with today remaining only one founding member still active in the person of experienced drummer Nikos Tsintjilonis. The second life of BLACK FATE started with the addition of Singer Vasilis Georgiou in 2007, after refounding the whole concept and the recording of a few demos, or finding the right players, the result of all this work was the album "Deliverance of Soul" that was released in 2009 by Asiral Records. Honestly, while this album displayed some Melodic Heavy Metal enhanced with some Progressive colours, I must say that it was ok but far from satisfying my fine gourmet taste… Still it has its moments .

The new Progressive sonic identity of BLACK FATE was since then reinforced by Vasilis Liakos on Bass borrowed from the great Prog band INNOSENSE who also joined the ranks, but the real makeover for BLACK FATE was the recruitment of young virtuoso Gus Drax from BIOMECHANICAL’s fame who bring a new energetic force, updating the style courtesy of a seven stringed axe, now modernized by the typical low edge (“State of Conformity”) definitely an asset for the dynamic sound of this album called “Between Visions & Lies”. A deal was inked with the mighty underground Swedish label Ulterium Records and the upcoming release of “Between Visions & Lies” is scheduled for November 28th in Europe and December 2nd in USA .

The positive echoes were numerous in the little circles of experts, regularly quoted as impressive, technical, their orchestrated Dark Prog Metal (the closing instrumental outro “In Fear”) with Powerful riffage and fiery guitar solos (“Lines in the sand”/”Call Of The Wild” or “Perfect Crime”), seems to be enhanced by a clever spirit and complex songwriting crafted for some soaring vocals and melodies (“The Game of Illusion”). Well, my friends those statements sounds pretty accurate and true, even if I could add that the accessibility, with sharp straight Metal sound, is also represented thru tracks like “In Your Eyes” and its syncopated riff, “Weight Of The World” in a QUEENSRYCHE mood and the typical melodic structure of “Call Of The Wild”, the improvement is everywhere!

The lead vocals are obviously a strong reference point, the sensibility and the voice full of vibrato of Vasilis Georgiou recalls many times Roy Khan (“State of Conformity” & the opening “Rhyme of a False Orchestra”) or Michele luppi (SECRET SPHERE/KILLING TOUCH/LOS ANGELES) while the darkened ambiance also provides some similarities with early KAMELOT / VISION DIVINE (“Without Saying a Word ”) / WICKED MARAYA (“Lines in the sand”)/ “flow” era CONCEPTION (“Perfect Crime ”) or EVERGREY (“Into the Night”) .

The Greek Metal map is filled by an amazing yet underrated bunch of Progressive acts such as WARDRUM / UNTIL RAIN or HORIZON’S END, recently in early 2014 we had PSYCRENCE and GUS G. who released amazing pieces of smart music, BLACK FATE is I believe the perfect missing element to complete this triptych.
Another CD to write down on the Christmas wish list!