Skull Revenge – State Of Oblivion

Skull Revenge
State Of Oblivion
Out: August 22^nd, 2025
Playing time: 46:13

Skull Revenge is a music project featuring a number of renowned artists known from bands such as Candlemass, Therion, Narnia and Jaded Heart. Following three singles released in 2020 and 2021, the debut album ‘State Of Oblivion’ is now available. The album cover was designed by Martin Wrigsjö, who has also worked for Manowar. The sound on the album was influenced by a number of legendary bands, including Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Saxon, Halloween and Avantasia.

‘A Voice In The Desert’ sweeps out of the speakers like a desert storm. Hard riffs and Double Bass drive singer Airton Araujo forward. The guitar solo is also played very fast. Peter Östros can then be heard on ‘Afterlife’. Slightly less fast, more rhythmic. And vocally different too. A little bit scratchy. But Peter Östros can also do things differently. ‘Beast Turning Human’ starts ballad-like with calm vocals. Later on, the vocals are mostly clear. The guitars celebrate a tempo increase without setting any speed records. ‘Future’ starts with spoken words accompanied by keyboards. Later, we hear a mid-tempo Metal anthem. The tempo picks up a little on ‘Lost In Time’, mainly due to the Double Bass. ‘Road Of Pain’ starts with a guitar fade-in. Another strong riff-driven Metal anthem. ‘Stardust’ is characterised by heavy riffs and pounding drums. It also stomps and riffs on ‘State Of Oblivion’. The whole thing is very rhythmic. On ‘This Once Broken Tree’, you can enjoy Thomas Vikström’s vocals at the very end. A great Metal anthem, quasi as the crowning glory of the album.

Thanks to the many different singers, some people will immediately think of Avantasia. But far from it, Skull Revenge are not as commercially polished as the project by Edguy singer Tobias Sammet. Melodic Power Metal dominates. What both projects have in common, however, are the very good musicians and the excellent singers. To be honest, I like Skull Revenge much better than Avantasia. I would love to see this band/project live. My only criticism is that Skull Revenge is an all-male band. There are many female singers who could enrich the sound.

Skull Revenge – A Voice In The Desert (Official Lyric Video): https://youtu.be/jpB3cslMjQs?si=kAfl79nBp5qWg2k4

Lineup:

Tobias Flensburg – Guitar, Drums (Skull Revenge)
Thomas Vikström – Vocals (Therion, Candlemass)
Christian Liljegren – Vocals (Narnia)
German Pascual – Vocals (Narnia, Divinefire)
Airton Araujo – Vocals (Age of Artemis, About 2 Crash)
Peter Östros – Vocals (Jaded Heart, Stockholm Insania)
Fredrik Notling – Vocals (M.O.B)
Christian Vidal – Lead Guitar (Therion)
CJ Grimmark – Lead Guitar (Narnia)
Tore Fagerheim – Guitar (Shadowmind)
Kristofer Stenefjord – Bass (Skull Revenge)

Track list:

• A Voice In The Desert (Airton Araujo)
• Afterlife (Peter Östros)
• Beast Turning Human (Peter Östros)
• Future (Christian Liljegren)
• Lost In Time (Airton Araujo)
• Road Of Pain (German Pascual)
• Stardust (Airton Araujo)
• State Of Oblivion (Fredrik Notling)
• This Once Broken Tree (Thomas Vikström)