On disc: Nostradameus

 
 Words Of Nostradameus
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Words Of Nostradameus
 
- Katja Henning -
 
 


 
 The Prophet Of Evil
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 The Prophet Of Evil
 
- Volker Raabe -
 
 


 
 Pathway
 
- Anika Peterson -
 
 


 
 Illusion's Parade
 
- Philip Thelen -
 
 

Illusion's Parade

(AFM Records - 2009)



 
 

 

The new Nostradameus release Illusion's Parade comes up with mighty power metal hymns. The first track Walk Of Pain is a straight one with technical-based riffs. I like the voice of singer Freddy Persson. It fits really well into the structure of the music. A really strong one is Art Of Deception. The song scores with great riffing and catchy hookes. The Mariner could be a well done live song with it's straight riffs. Nothing is well done, too, due to it's powerful riffing and melodic guitar solo. Next track Eclipse Of The Sun-Cult is a thrashy one with strange irritating vocal effects in the phrase, but it is a good song with an partly fast acoustic guitar solo among a thrashy background. Broken Soul (Virgin Mary) is an epic ten minute long track with elements of ballads and melodic metal. The title track Illusion's Parade is more an intro and I wonder why they did not put it as track one on this album... Armageddon Forever sounds how it is spelled. Fast drumming, fast guitar riffs and harsh vocals. Last song Time For Madness is in the same style as Armageddon Forever. Very fast. All in all I would say the album is well done, but there could be more changes in the songs.

Check out: Art Of Deception, Broken Soul (Virgin Mary)
 
 










Philip Thelen


  
up 













Pathway

(AFM Records - 2007)



 
 

 

The Swedish band Nostradameus now present their 5th album which is called Pathway. Musically the band of singer Freddy Persson delivers power metal, but without the happiness. Instead they add some thrashy notes to their melodic power metal which is based on guitar riffing. Persson adds powerful vocals which sometimes have an aggressive touch. Some catchy vocal lines, but not enough to keep the song spinning in your head. All songs are well performed and the production is good, but I miss some surprising moments. Something special, there is no real highlight. And so it doesn't matter which song you pick to get an impression of Pathway.

It seems the guys lost their path... Hopefully they find their way back and present a few surprises next time.
 
 










Anika Peterson
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)


  
up 










The Prophet Of Evil

(AFM Records - 2001)



 
 

 

With Words Of Nostradameus the Swedish quintet took their first step into the spot light, now their second album is out and it's called The Prophet Of Evil. With their new release they show that not every melodic speed/power metal band act sounds like Helloween, even if they partly remind me of different acts of this genre.

But these young band is on the way to find their place in this genre. Singer Freddy Pers­son and his mates show that they can more than just play fast, with Requiem (I'll Honour Thy Name) they present a slow, epic ballad with a lot of intensity. After that ballad a track starts very fast, become mid-tempo and speed up again. On In Prison the band is surprising the listener again and again, a strong and powerful track. The 10 songs tell a story, so listen to the words of this fiction story. On the first edition there is another song, a bonus track which is a cover version of a track of their Swedish colleagues of Europe. Scream Of Anger which was on Europe's 2nd album fits to the Nostradameus sound. They didn’t changed much, but it could have been one of their songs.... Well done! It they can do that live, they soon will be established in this scene!
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
up 










The Prophet Of Evil

(AFM Records - 2001)



 
 

 

As on their debut Words Of Nostradameus the Scandinavian quintet is playing melodic power metal on The Prophet Of Evil. What more the heart of a metal head can ask for? On the album the fan of true metal will find everything he's longing for like hymns (Evil Proph­ecies and In Prison) and sing-along rockers (Hymn To These Lands). Listen to the opus The Final Battle... Wow! They are enthusiastic and bring the metal feeling to life, both supported by a powerful production. New­comers like Nostradameus are more then welcome by the metal fans. Unfortunately only some fanzines are interested and only insiders know this band. It's a pity that a band of their caliber didn't get more attention. Okay, there is a lot of competition in this genre and ac­tually this isn't a masterpiece. A weak point is the song Requiem. Nostradameus have the potential to make it big. The next months will show which way the band will go... For a prophecy it's too early....
 
 










Volker Raabe
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)


  
up 










Words Of Nostradameus

(AFM Records - 2000)



 
 

 

Another melodic power metal band from Sweden.... The four-piece was founded by bassist and singer Freddy Persson and the members of the death metal band Vapid just for fun back in 1998. Things happened fast for the Gothenborgians and after sending out a demo to different labels the Swedish signed with AFM Recods.

Lyrically the band dealed with the life and prophecies of Nostradameus. For one song the youngsters got help by Joacim Cans from Hammerfall! And this shows what kind of metal these young Swedes play. Actually they remind me a little bit of Helloween in their early days (Keepers Pt. 1), but they are no copy-cats! With the follow up of this album they have to proof their talent, coz a con­ceptual album is always different to a 'normal' CD.... It's all wait and see....
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
up 





 
           ©2008-2010 by Claudia Ehrhardt • E-Mail: contact@ice-vajal.com