Evolution Purgatory - Persuader

*****

This, my friends, is something very special. This is Power Metal as it should be. Forget your overwrought keyboard melodies and pansy choirs. Layering intense, thrashy riffs and a solid rhythm section against Jens Carlsson’s sublime vocals, Persuader are Power Metal by virtue of the strength with which this album blasts through your speakers as much as by any particular musical stylings. Vocalist Jens Carlsson packs a mighty punch, a divine voice that very much resembles Hansi Kursch of Blind Guardian fame, but delivered with such frothing, righteous anger, as to go to a whole new level. Vibrant, throbbing riffs courtesy of Emil Norberg and Daniel Sundbom really roar at you, and while there is little in the way of lead guitar work, the quality of the riffs on offer more than compensate for the lack of solos. Bassist Fredrick Hedstrom and Drummer Efraim Juntunen aren’t slouches either, creating a very strong rhythm section. This is a powerhouse record with no let up, taking what is heaviest and best about bands like Blind Guardian and forging it into a triumphant display of real metal, and not a mention of a dragon to be found!

Must Downloads - "Godfather", "Strike Down"