Book of Numbers - Magick

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The US traditional Heavy Metal has some particularities. It’s a combination of the heavy weight influences of BLACK SABBATH and JUDAS PRIEST (this one is incredibly sensible) with the charming melodic sense inherited from Hard Rock from the 70’s (suggestion: if you’re not introduced by now, take a listening to old albums of BLUE ÖYSTER CULT). That’s the reason for the accurate melodic sense of USA Heavy Metal, and it’s not a mistake to say that it permeates even the works from bands from every Metal genre you can think of. And so is the inherited load that bands as BOOK OF NUMBERS shows, as can be heard on their first release, “Magick”.

They work in a trend that fuses the classical approach of US Heavy Metal with some Doom Metal influences, but with a melodic core influenced by BLACK SABBATH on Ronnie James Dio’s years and by OZZY OSBOURNE during “Blizzard of Ozz” and “Diary of a Madman” days. It means that their music is heavy as Hell, but with a great and hooking melodies, and a good level on the instrumental technique. And it’s not a sin to put them in the same team with JAG PANZER, ARMORED SAINT, MALICE, LIZZY BORDEN, VIRGIN STEELE and others in this trend. So be prepared to be hooked by their music!

The band worked on many studios on the hometown (Phoenix, Arizona) on the recordings, with the initial works being done by the legendary Grammy Awards winner Clarke Rigsby, with the final mixing being done by other legend, David Thoener (who worked previously with AC/DC, RAINBOW, AEROSMITH and others). The mastering was completed by Marc Frigo in Nashville, Tennessee. All to give the band the right sonority, heavy and clean, powerful and aggressive, but in a way that anyone can understand.

All the 8 tracks are excellent, but for a first time on their work, the flaming essence of “Magick” (excellent melodies, aggressive guitars and fine chorus, with a clean influence of Jake E. Lee and Zakk Wylde on the guitar riffing technique), the melodic Power/Doom Metal song called “Optimism” (very good interpretation of the vocals, indeed), the contrasts that exist on “The Jester’s Crown” (what means that there are some rhythmic changes, and as a consequence, bass guitar and drums are playing heavy as Hell), and the massive weight of “Yesterday’s Nightmare” are the right ones for the introduction. Oh, yes: their version for “Childern of the Sea” is really very good. And to play a classic like this, you must have courage to expose yourself, and they really show guts in doing so in such very good performance.

Yes, BOOK OF NUMBERS is another excellent name from the US Metal School that needs to be followed. “Magick” shows that we can expect great things of them in the future.

Songwriting: 9
Musicianship: 9
Memorability: 9
Production: 10