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Methusalem: Unite and Conquer

Melodic Hard Rock/Heavy Metal

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Rock Inc. (Distribution)
www.myspace.com/methusalemband
www.methusalem.nu
Review: Craig Hartranft,  04.11.2010

Hailing from the lowlands of the Netherlands, Methusalem and their first full length album Unite and Conquer was a surprising delight for this listener/reviewer. Unite and Conquer is strong work of melodic hard rock and heavy metal, reminding of the best 80's heavy metal including NWOBHM. This is quite interesting, but not so astonishing, since the members of Methusalem come from backgrounds of death and gothic metal bands. Their press material states that they are paying homage to the past, standing on the shoulders of the giants who preceded and laid the foundation for them and all contemporary metal.

Conversely, I think they saw the light. Disposing of the current and excessive trends of death metal (in whatever form) and gothic metal, Methusalem has returned to the heart of true and fundamental metal. Unite and Conquer is broad and deep with heaviness (the bottom end will blow out your speakers when you crank it up), catchy melody and hooks, harmonious vocal arrangements, and ripping guitar solos. While the foundation is melodic heavy metal, many tunes are a bit heavier melodic hard rock like Hardrock Showdown and Get Ready to Rock. Methusalem 'Maidenesque' heavy metal heroics on Forever, Unite and Conquer, and possibly the melancholy and sober Brothers in Arms.

Honestly, my first impression was, 'Cripes, another band trying relive the glory of the golden age.' Not so. To catch the genius of the classic melodic metal on Unite and Conquer, one must listen carefully and repeatedly. Whether some will call this derivative or generic, this is the real deal. Methusalem 'gets it,' and does classic melodic heavy metal very well. Strongly recommended!

To catch the genius of the classic melodic metal on Unite and Conquer, one must listen carefully and repeatedly. Whether some will call this derivative or generic, this is the real deal. Methusalem 'gets it,' and does classic melodic heavy metal very well. Strongly recommended!

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Formed in 1999 by singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Erik Martensson, Sweden's Eclipse is well into their third decade of making music. In the recent past, their recordings and reputation have ... [ Read More ]