GUARDIANS OF TIME – A Beautiful Atrocity
- Posted on 19-06-2011
Years ago in one of those metal mail order clearance sales, I took a blind purchase chance and bought the two previous studio albums from Norway’s Guardians Of Time. 2001’s “Edge Of Tomorrow” and 2004’s “Machines Of Mental Design” are both adequate heavy metal albums with power elements, but for some reason didn’t exactly stay in constant stereo rotation. The time away appears to have improved Guardians Of Time exponentially, as their third full length “A Beautiful Atrocity” benefits from a modern production lift, thematic sound bytes that add to the flow of the songs and just an air of instrumental confidence not heard previously.
Bands that do come to mind include “Operation: Mindcrime” era Queensryche, Andi Deris led Helloween and possibly some of the “Painkiller” era of Judas Priest when listening to these 13 tracks. Where Guardians Of Time differ from the traditional and power motif is the occasional use of lower pitched death screams on songs like “Perverse Perfection” and “Monster” – accenting their desire to stay contemporary with their sound. Vocalist Bernt Fjellestad maintains a sinister Zak Stevens-like inflection and also has no trouble jumping a couple of octaves with a single note on tracks like “Altered In Red” and “Mind Altered”. Guitarists Paul Olsen and Bent Lindebo perform their twin axe duties with grace, intertwining aggressive riffs, twin harmonies and the occasional clean, softer passage showcasing all of their metal knowledge – with “Sleep Eternal” and “Tide Of Time” two of their highlights.
This is a case where a traditional power band reinvented certain aspects of their arrangements and performances for the better. I feel that “A Beautiful Atrocity” has that punch in the drum department, the ripping lead and rhythm tones and loads of spirit that should move audiences when Guardians Of Time tears their heads off live. I even thought the retro late 60’s/ early 70’s hard rock send back “The Man” could be a distant step child of Deep Purple with Bernt channeling his best Ian Gillian melodies and high range.
Surprise of the year.
www.guardiansoftime.no
GUARDIANS OF TIME
A Beautiful Atrocity
Mayhem Music
2011
5/6
Matt Coe
Years ago in one of those metal mail order clearance sales, I took a blind purchase chance and bought the two previous studio albums from Norway’s Guardians Of Time. 2001’s “Edge Of Tomorrow” and 2004’s “Machines Of Mental Design” are both adequate heavy metal albums with power elements, but for some reason didn’t exactly stay in constant stereo rotation. The time away appears to have improved Guardians Of Time exponentially, as their third full length “A Beautiful Atrocity” benefits from a modern production lift, thematic sound bytes that add to the flow of the songs and just an air of instrumental confidence not heard previously.
Bands that do come to mind include “Operation: Mindcrime” era Queensryche, Andi Deris led Helloween and possibly some of the “Painkiller” era of Judas Priest when listening to these 13 tracks. Where Guardians Of Time differ from the traditional and power motif is the occasional use of lower pitched death screams on songs like “Perverse Perfection” and “Monster” – accenting their desire to stay contemporary with their sound. Vocalist Bernt Fjellestad maintains a sinister Zak Stevens-like inflection and also has no trouble jumping a couple of octaves with a single note on tracks like “Altered In Red” and “Mind Altered”. Guitarists Paul Olsen and Bent Lindebo perform their twin axe duties with grace, intertwining aggressive riffs, twin harmonies and the occasional clean, softer passage showcasing all of their metal knowledge – with “Sleep Eternal” and “Tide Of Time” two of their highlights.
This is a case where a traditional power band reinvented certain aspects of their arrangements and performances for the better. I feel that “A Beautiful Atrocity” has that punch in the drum department, the ripping lead and rhythm tones and loads of spirit that should move audiences when Guardians Of Time tears their heads off live. I even thought the retro late 60’s/ early 70’s hard rock send back “The Man” could be a distant step child of Deep Purple with Bernt channeling his best Ian Gillian melodies and high range.
Surprise of the year.