Pyramaze
Bloodlines
AFM Records
Out: June 23rd, 2023
Playing time: 44:27
Almost three years have passed since the release of “Epitaph“. The line-up has not changed since then, so one can assume that the successor will continue where they left off with “Epitaph”. For the current album, many well-known guest musicians could be won over – besides Andrew Kingsley (Unleash The Archers), Olof Mörck (Amaranthe) and Melissa Bonny (Ad Infinitum, The Dark Side Of The Moon), Tim Hansen (son of Kai Hansen [Helloween, Gamma Ray]) can also be heard. Sounds exciting. So, let’s have a listen.
“Bloodlines” is an overlong intro, but one of the better kind. It can already be seen as a short overture. Little by little, the arc of suspense is built up. But already with “Taking What’s Mine” the qualities of Pyramaze show. They have a knack for catchy melody leads. And with a great chorus. And once again Terje Harøy’s vocal performance can convince. “Fortress” starts with epic orchestral passages, later the drums and the rhythm section provide a sometimes quite high speed. The tempo also remains high on “Broken Arrow”. Jonah Weingarten weaves sound carpets, but without putting the keyboard too much in the foreground. The mixture is what makes it. “Even If You’re Gone” sounds just as powerful as the songs before it. But again and again the beautiful melodies dominate. In the ballad “Alliance” Terje sings a duet with Melissa Boney. And Melissa sings with her clear Rock voice. Without the angry growls, which she also masters excellently. “The Midnight Sun” starts with a little Industrial touch. But don’t worry, later this excursion is only short. Here, too, melody dominates, even if drummer Morten Gade Sørensen whips his comrades-in-arms forward in the meantime. And the guitar solo comes from the aforementioned Tim Hansen. “Stop The Bleeding” is an epic metal anthem. “The Mystery” tends towards Power Metal again. After the overlong intro, there is an even longer instrumental outro with “Wolves Of The Sea”. And that forms the crowning finale.
More than six minutes are dedicated to instrumental pieces. But the way they are presented here, I don’t find it disturbing at all. With “Bloodlines”, Pyramaze have once again released a very good album. And they could improve even more compared to “Epitaph”.
Pyramaze – Broken Arrow: https://youtu.be/gyUuNbYcjtU
Lineup:
Terje Harøy – Vocals
Jacob Hansen – Guitars, Bass
Jonah Weingarten – Keyboards
Toke Skjønnemand – Guitars
Morten Gade Sørensen – Drums
Track list:
- Bloodlines
- Taking What’s Mine
- Fortress
- Broken Arrow
- Even If You’re Gone
- Alliance
- The Midnight Sun
- Stop The Bleeding
- The Mystery
- Wolves of the Sea
Rating:
Album : 9/10
Cover-Art : 8/10
Songwriting : 9/10
