Labyrinth
(Century Media)
by Martin Popoff
Beyond the blabber and conjecture, I first gotta say that this is the only power metal album I’ve played dozens and dozens of times, through years of getting this kind of crap. And like any good power metaller, guitarist Andrea Cantarelli vehemently curses and spits upon (with Italian élan) that tag. But he knows of which he speaks, confident in the band’s new start, self-titling the album, and going for less goofy artwork, this time by Travis Smith. As well, his long-time friend and co-axeman Olaf Thorsen is out of the band, de-restricting Labyrinth as they turn in some of the most soulful, up-the-irons metal melodies of their career (and everyone else’s).
(2323 W. El Segundo Blvd. Hawthorne, CA 90250)