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Emerald: Unleashed
Emerald: Unleashed
Heavy/Power Metal
4.0/5.0
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Pure Steel Records
by Craig Hartranft, 08.14.2012
In 2010, Swiss metal band Emerald was Re-Forged with a new line up, including a new vocalist. This year they're Unleashed with another long player of NWOBHM inspired heavy and power metal.
Emerald: looking quite metal-ish.
Unleashed is likely a case of 'If it ain't broke, then don't fix it.' Emerald's formula remains speedy power metal with pseudo-Halford high vocals and plenty of fiery twin lead guitar work. This time around the arrangements sound even more Maiden-esque than before, and the band tries hard to be a bit more technical. This is notable on A Past Never Born and Eye of the Serpent, but also on the shorter Blessed. Mostly, without losing the melodic undercurrent, Emerald sounds heavy, speedy, and even a bit thrashy, as on Face of Evil or F.T.M..
With a stable crew on board, Emerald is hitting their stride once more with Unleashed, a decent platter of European heavy and power metal. Recommended.
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With a stable crew on board, Emerald is hitting their stride once more with Unleashed, a decent platter of European heavy and power metal.
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