Mystic Prophecy - Ravenlord

Mystic Prophecy is one of those bands in which you know what you're going to get with each release: pure unadulterated heavy metal.  The band have recently released their 7th studio album Ravenlord, and the formula has not changed, and that is not a bad thing.  Even though the band has a tried and true formula, they still put out great original tunes, and this new CD is no exception.  The band thrive on the power metal sound, while dabbling in some thrash.  I tend to like their mid-tempo more than their thrashier material and this CD really catered to me.  Don't get me wrong, there is some thrashy stuff on this album, but for the record, the guys have mixed in a few more mid tempo tracks.

The CD starts in perfect fashion with the title track, which is a mid-tempo skull crusher, full of melody.  It is heavy, but a very melodic track that will stay with you.  The next track Die Now is a thrashy tune, that is not as captivating as the opener.  This one lacked the melodic side of the band I really dig.  Not a bad tune, but one of the weaker tunes on the CD.  To me, it was the midtempo tracks like the opener, Eyes of the Devil and Hollow that kicked my ass.  The cool things about these songs, is that times they remind you of classic 80's hard rock with a darker/heavier edge.  They also have a nice mix of melodic thrash tunes that kick ass as well.  Tunes like Damned Tonight, Endless Fire and Reckoning Day, are perfect examples of fast tunes with a nice does of melody.  As an added bonus their is a cover of Ozzy's Miracle Man on the album.  Not a bad version.  It is pretty close to the original, and they did it justice.  

Vocalist RD Liapakis shines all over this record.  I think this guy gets better with every new release.  That is a constant with this band, very strong musicianship.  The guitars wail and vocals soar.  Dare I say this is their best release ever, well if it isn't, it is pretty damn close.  Nice job lads!

Bottom Line:  Pummeling power metal with a heavy edge.  Dark natured tunes (lyrically) but full of melody.

Standout Tracks: Eyes of the Devil, Hollow, Reckoning Day and Ravenlord.

-Ragman is loving this CD.