CRIMSON DAY – Order of the Shadows
- Posted on 19-12-2015
Putting their balls to the wall for heavy metal glory, Tampere, Finland’s Crimson Day have a love for Teutonic power metal that also penetrates the traditional landscape on their first full-length "Order of the Shadows". The shrill yet piercing vocals of Valtteri Heiskanen on the moody "And Then Came Death" and semi-militant anthem follow up "Sandstalker" reside in that Kai Hansen meets Gerrit P. Mutz (Sacred Steel) range – which could be a good or bad thing depending on your feelings about personality winning over pitch perfect notes.
Guitarists Ari Balzar and Jesse Liukkonen inject an old school melodic feel with their tasteful breaks throughout "Lies About Paradise" – something I could easily see on an 80’s Priest or Accept record, as the main axe hook is one that stays top of mind after even one listen. Most will give horns approved adulation to the double bass laden "Burning Redemption" or circular clean to heavy dynamic "Blessed Be Thy Hate" – two songs that are powerful yet 100% to the metal. The digital production doesn’t do the drum kit any favors (the snare and double bass suffer a little bit from an impact standpoint), but when it comes down to the hooks and general songwriting principles, Crimson Day are on par with their mentors.
"Order of the Shadows" contains 11 tracks and 52 minutes of mid-tempo to slightly faster power metal the way it was delivered in the 1980’s. Crimson Day could be one of those unsung acts people talk about down the road – so be willing to invest in them now on the ground floor.
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