Unchained Horizon - Fallen Kingdom

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As everyone already knows, Germany is the country who had a clear and important whole in the creation of models of Speed Metal, Heavy Metal and Power Metal in the 80’s, due the strong and famous names that arose there in the late 70’s and early 80’s (no one can deny the importance of acts as ACCEPT, HELLOWEEN, GRAVE DIGGER and others on these matters). It’s an inheritance that’s hard for many to deal with, but the quintet UNCHAINED HORIZON shows the ‘German Metal DNA’ on “Fallen Kingdom”.

The band follows a classic Heavy Metal tendency with clear traces of NWOBHM (the presence of touches early IRON MAIDEN is clear in many parts, especially due the bass guitar playing and guitar duets) and Hard Rock influences. It’s nothing new at all, but the quintet shows a very good work with defined (and catchy) melodies, a very good balance between weight, aggressiveness and melodic arrangements, very good choruses, and everything else. Once more: it’s nothing that no one didn’t hear before, but’s very good to hear, indeed. The album was recorded at Soundlodge Studio Rhauderfehn (where ANVIL, DEW SCENTED and others worked) and at Tonmeisterei Oldenburg, and the mixing and mastering were done at Audiostahl Studios in Austria. The sonority fits in an actual model, but in a form that preserves the Old School organic feeling of the songs. It’s defined, heavy and clean.

In a time when giants of the past are starting to think in retirement, one can say that UNCHAINED HORIZON is able in the future to carry their torch for sure. Songs as “Stranger” (a fine and melodic song plenty of very good guitar arrangements), “Beneath the Ice” (a heavier song with some clear influences of early Power Metal due the energy that flows from the melodic lines, and what a heavy work of bass guitar and drums), “The Marksman” (another song with a clear melodic tendency that tempers the weight, with very good work on the vocals), “Through the Storm” (some US Metal influences arises on the melodic lines, and what lovely ambiences arises one after the other), and “Beast Within” (a song with an aggressive insight) will seduce the listeners easily. Of course some maturing will be welcome in the future, but’s it’s good for now.

The quintet shows on “Fallen Kingdom” enough potential to try higher flights, but’s a very good album, indeed.

Songwriting: 8
Musicianship: 8
Memorability: 8
Production: 8