The Fiery Baptism
It’s very
strange situation with this band. I mean, I have been worshipper of heavy metal
since 1991, but Aria machine landed before my eyes eleven years ago. It was a
time of releasing their ninth album “Крещение огнём”. And what
is interesting in my case, the first article (almost five A4 pages interview) about
this Russian legend I found in German “Desecration of Virgin” zine #6 bought on
the beginning of this century. Many days have passed, and finally I’ve got the
album recorded by a friend, later an original copy with a really amazing front
cover artwork.
Musically I
got… the Iron Maiden’s best heritage. It isn’t a surprise as the musicians
confirmed their fascinations of this British band and it can be easily felt in
several moments (especially when it comes to the melodic parts and the way of
bass playing as the strong leading instrument), however I would be a stupid
liar calling Russians a poor imitation. No, of course not! And let me write one
elementary truth: both crews deal with heavy metal music and this is enough. The
production is simply good, each instrument is audible without any hindrance but
the best sound realization of studio albums the Russians will serve during “Феникс” times. All right, let’s strike
home, the first track just split my head and left it slaughtered! The furious
pounding drums that appeared from out of nowhere, then the guitars and bass
attack with shrill Berkut vocals harbinger the heavy metal devastation. “Патриот” really maltreated my senses, as
the first perception I could compare with powerful “Thanx for Nothin’” executed
by Overkill. The same feelings, the same ravager power. The fast tempo
dominates through pretty melodic layers of riffs and even it is played rather
simple way, there is no time for a breather, as the fantastic chorus takes
place. In turn one minute long guitar lead demonstration that is divided into
two parts, makes this splendid guitar eruption probably the best solo lead on
the album.
Writing
about the next three songs is like putting a brick into the wall. I mean, the bettermost
heavy metal music is still on the stage, maybe not so fast as the opener, but I
listen to it with bated breath through the second title song (preceded by a
subtle intro and then with absolutely great chorus parts) and the third “Колизей” (with smashing slow-down in the
middle). Yes, a really classic stuff for me. But, the best is yet to come, and
its name is “Палач”. To
put it briefly, here I got a culminating point of the album, the longest song,
built by several fascinating parts. Written by Holstinin, this is one of the
best tracks in whole Aria’s career. Opened by very calm tunes, it turns into
epic and majestic piece of metal, what is interesting, it doesn’t contain any
sophisticated and studied means, yet its simplicity really paralyze me every
time I listen to it, especially when it comes to the emotional chorus parts
with Berkut middle-scale singing. The song seethes with beautiful guitar leads,
memorable melodies and hard riffs, also the string quartette is present here to
support the classic instrumentarium and enrich the whole.
And when
the last second of “Палач”
passes by, something pops in the kingdom of Aria. I don’t want to write that
the rest of the album is just a dunghill, because I’d be emotionally disturbed,
but two songs “Твой новый мир” and “Белый флаг” lower effectively the final mark.
Yes, that’s true, both are speedy outbursts, but the quality is rather
mediocre. Fortunately, the remainder gives a pleasure to my metal heart,
bringing such powerful tracks like “Там высоко” (a
really good ballad!), “Битва” (the only track written by Popov, quite different thing amongst the
rest with slow marching tempos) and the ending composition “Бал у
князя тьмы” reminding a bit another ballad due to calmer
tunes on the beginning, but after almost fifty seconds, it becomes a ‘proper’
thing: mid-paced bulldozer served by simple means again with astonishing
Dubinin bass lines, however at about 2:50 it turns into more melodic part with
hearable Iron Maiden’s influences. It is very good and well-thought-out ending
song giving me really impressive moments on the end of this album.
Of course,
there is a need to mention about the vocalist, Berkut. While listening to this
album, I only knew from the interview about their previous singer Kipelov. I
read about his legendary status on the Russian heavy metal stage and through
all these great years with Aria’s music, however I don’t think his departure
before “Крещение огнём” session as something bad. Yes, it
was a high light, something like Dickinson and his replacement in the person of
Bayley, though Berkut hasn’t different vocals range, and it means that the band
did a safe choice I guess. Safe, but really good, I have to admit. He perfectly
fits to the musical content… And what is more, this is the first album with
completely Russian lyrics. Me, as a Pole, it was a bit confusing on the start.
The foreigners probably don’t understand this specific bond between our two
nations, but believe me, many hours of Russians in the elementary and secondary
school was a real pain in the ass for young Poles. And no, I don’t speak
Russian, however reading the Cyrillic alphabet is not a problem for me. And I
have to admit the Russian language is very melodious and I liked it a lot. Man,
after all these years…
So, I’ll
try to write something on the end. First of all, this is very good album,
that’s for sure, but it was like a beginning of the heavy metal avalanche as I
had to check their previous albums. When I did it, sadly for this album (and
luckily for me!), I discovered more, even better, albums of these Russians
heavy metal gods. Yes, most of them come from the 80s, but it is great that the
band has enough power to unleash such great albums in the present century. Maybe
“Химера” was a step
back, but reviewed album and especially “Феникс” with another singer gave me some rays of hope
in the numb world of contemporary heavy metal. For me, it was like a finding of
fountain of youth. Its fresh waters gave me a new life in the fascinating world
of heavy metal. The only my complaint touches the two tracks mentioned above,
the rest is just superb. My firemetal baptism is done. But what about you? Will you dare
to receive this baptism?
93/100
-Tlacaxipehualiztli
(written on April, 2014)
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