Cryonic Kings of Avalon

Tweet

by Derric Miller
Staff Writer

Some genres ebb and flow in popularity, and then there’s Power Metal. Ever since Helloween made their eternal mark on Heavy Metal in the ‘80s, bands like Edguy, DragonForce, Hammerfall, Stratovarius, and a thousand other bands followed suit in varying degrees with this epic, heavy, positive and sometimes cheesy (in a good way) musical format, and Power Metal has kept its omnipresent edge. Add Cryonic to that Metal hierarchy, as this new Swedish group has just thrown down the gauntlet with their debut, Kings of Avalon.

Everything gallops on the first track, “Avalon.” It’s upbeat, thumping, and will remind you of bands like Hammerfall in its majesty. The chorus is pure gold albeit simple and repetitive. Singer Bigswede delivers with passion and melody, and his voice is a bit rougher than some of the other Power Metal bands. In fact, in later songs when he hits the high notes, he sounds like UDO.

Racing riffs from guitarist Freddy and double-blasts from drummer Simon hit you on “Kings of the Hill.” Like the opening track, you’ll get a pumping rhythm that makes you want to down tankards of ale and shout to Valhalla. Bigswede wields his harsher UDO-ish vocals on this track during the guitar solo, which lends a grittier vibe to this mostly smooth unit.

Like most Power Metal bands, some of the tracks run together, and that doesn’t escape Cryonic, especially on songs like “Tear Down the Walls” and “Angels Calling.” One song that changes up the formula somewhat is “Living on the Road,” a song just a few beats per minute slower than the initial tracks and more radio friendly, in a Pretty Maids sort of way.

The track “Seven Doors” sees Cryonic slowing it down to a mid-tempo construct, with haunting two-part harmonies and beautiful acoustic playing in the beginning. Of course, the song crescendos to a heavy, more electric composition, with massive gang “whoa-oh” vocals that remind of dwarves working in the bowels of the earth. The chorus is interesting, “I wanna be free, like eagles flying, I’m living in hell with seven doors.” The “eagle” and “seven doors” reference is an obvious homage to Helloween, but then again, shouldn’t it be?

“Demon” gets Cryonic back on pace with a thundering anthem, one of the meaner songs on Kings of Avalon. Like most of the guitar solos here, they aren’t overly conspicuous but play inside the parameters of the song, smart, fluid and melodic.

Back to giving high-fives to Helloween, Kings of Avalon ends with “Free Like an Eagle;” at least they didn’t name it “Fly Free Like an Eagle.” That aside, the triumphant chorus, churning and soaring, is the perfect way to end the release.

You can listen to this 46-minute album over and over and be amazed at how quickly you make it to the last song—everything just flows and makes sense on Kings of Avalon. Sure, there is something formulaic about Power Metal, but isn’t that what makes it so damn good? Powerful vocals, bubbly guitar solos, galloping rhythms and songs about eagles and angels and kings … why would you play anything else?

Label: High Roller Records

Online: www.myspace.com/cryonic1

Track listing:
1. Avalon 4:02
2. Kings of the Hill 3:31
3. Tear Down the Walls 4:17
4. Angels Calling 5:27
5. Living on the Road 4:19
6. No More 4:00
7. Seven Doors 4:23
8. No Regrets 3:59
9. Demon 3:57
10. The One 3:53
11. Free Like an Eagle 4:11

Hardrock Haven rating: 7.8/10