Album Review | Signum Regis – Undivided

Signum Regis
Undivided
Label: Ulterium Records
Out: November 17^th, 2023
Playing time: 50:38

Signum Regis were founded in 2007 by bassist Ronnie König. He is also the only constant in the band, which hails from Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. Since then, new albums have been released every two / three year, most recently “The Seal of a New World” (2019). That was four years ago now. In this time, only the EP “Flag Of Hope” (2019), the live album “Made in Switzerland” (2022) and a remastered version of “Exodus” (2022) were released. So it was time again for a new full-length work.

The Slovaks start their seventh studio album without an intro. So “Daniel’s Prophecy” is really the first song. And it has a lot going for it. The drums are pounding wildly. But when the vocals start, the tempo is slowed down a bit. And singer Jota Fortinho (who could already be heard on the last album) can shine right away. With “Ministry Of Truth” it goes in the direction of Speed Metal. Riff after riff is fired. Besides melodic vocal passages, Jota also delivers high Metal screams. The dreams in “Interpreter Of Dreams” seem to be nightmares. At least that’s what the high tempo but also the rhythm and melody changes suggest. “Pilgrim Road” is high speed again. At least at the beginning, then it gets slower and rhythmic. “Servants Of The Fallen One” is a great Metal anthem. But already with “Sea Of Galilee” the album picks up speed again. A par force ride in which the singer easily keeps up with the sometimes high tempo. The title song “Undivided” follows shortly before the end. This hymn is the highlight of the album. Especially with the melodic chorus, the Slovaks can score here. Only the final song, “Shield My Soul”, provides a resting point. You had to wait a long time for a ballad. But the musicians don’t really want to be ballads throughout. No wonder with a playing time of 7:23 minutes. So quiet and straightforward rocking parts alternate.

What the last two releases showed is also confirmed on “Undivided”. Signum Regis are a constant in European Power Metal, alongside Helloween, Stratovarius and Theocracy, to name but a few. Producer Jacob Hansen has once again done an excellent job. One can only hope that in addition to musical recognition, there will also be commercial success. The quintet deserves it.

Lineup:

Jota Fortinho – Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Filip Koluš – Guitars
Ronnie König – Bass
Ján Tupý – Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Jaro Jančula – Drums

Track list:

• Daniel’s Prophecy
• Ministry Of Truth
• Salt Of The Earth
• Interpreter of Dreams
• Pilgrim Road
• Servants Of The Fallen One
• Sea Of Galilee
• Prepare For War
• Undivided
• Shield My Soul