History takes a new level with Civil War’s debut album The Killer Angels via Despotz Records. After a few small releases, listening to singles and an EP release, we can finally open our ears to hear the full eleven tracks of nonstop power metal fun! No dozing off allowed! Many albums need more than one listen to become hooked, with The Killer Angels all you need is one.
The band formed shortly after Daniel Myhr, Daniel Mullback, Oskar Montelius and Rikard Sundén decided to leave the Swedish band, Sabaton in 2012. The reason why they left is unclear but the one thing that remains is they did not quit music. They shortly added two respected members and longtime friends; bass player and vocalist, Stefan “Pizza” Eriksson and a well known Power Metal Singer, Nils Patrik Johansson (Wuthering Heights, Astral Doors, Lion’s Share) to join them in forming Civil War. Civil War and Sabaton have a lot in common yet Patrik’s vocals are extremely different than Joakim Brodén’s (singer in Sabaton). Additionally the keyboard is used less but dramatically shines more in important climaxes of the songs especially in “Saint Patrick’s Day”, “Sons of Avalon”, “Lucifer’s Court” and “I Will Rule the Universe”.
The title of the album was named after Michael Shaar’s novel The Killer Angels which is about the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War in the United States. The album was originally going to steer clear from being historical but Patrik wanted to put history into the lyrics. His historical interest also created the band’s name but they plan on writing about a different genre in the future. The band as a whole put their creative and talented minds together to come up with this 80s/90s traditional style of Power Metal to the album. While the album focuses on war elements one can also interpret the lyrics to their own personal battles.
In the beginning of the first track “King of the Sun”, it sounds like the intro to Dio’s “Holy Diver”. Patrik’s voice even sounds a lot like Dio in both his singing and screeching. As the song continues, the sound of Dio leaves and it turns out to be a great opening to the album. The listener will instantly be engaged while looking forward to hear more. “First to Fight” the second song on this album has a strong and heavy intro. It could be about a power struggle in the war yet you can interpret it to your own personal struggles. The next track “Saint Patrick’s Day” is my personal favorite. Civil War really shows their wide range of musical talent with this song by using Celtic elements. The keyboard is played perfectly and it’s not too overpowering. The song is so catchy that you want to dance to it and play it on repeat throughout the day. The guitar solo keeps the momentum up, while adding diversity to the Celtic sound. There’s a lot happening that each time you listen to the song you will find something new to enjoy.
The lyrics are written very well throughout the entire album including the tracks of “Gettysburg” and “I Will Rule the Universe”. The imagery in “Gettysburg” takes you straight to the battlefield, “Body’s and bloodshed everywhere”. In “I Will Rule the Universe”; you can actually envision an evil leader, “Invading the lands of greed and fraud”. The fourth track “Rome is Falling” is one of the strongest songs. It starts off at a slower tempo and in anticipation it gets heavier. When Patrik sing’s “It’s Time to March” the pace picks up and you feel as if you are marching with the music. The lyrics are incredibly strong, “Another day, another life I may have to sacrifice the only good in my life.” The chorus is fun and memorable “I will be rising again”. The lyrics could be interpreted in different ways, other than just war and bloodshed. For instance when we fail or make mistakes we can always “rise again” and “will return as a new believer”. “Sons of Avalon” also has a great battle and/or personal reference “Speed up catch with your own life”. Another track with great lyrics is “Lucifer’s Court”. The most common fear is written so beautifully throughout this track; the fear of mortal life and wishing for immortality yet not certain of wanting it. “I search for the grave I long for immortality all good things must come to an end. Who wants to live forever? So many stories to be told.” Each track is structurally written and leaves the mind open with several interpreted imaginations.
The band has used their roots from Sabaton and Astral Doors to make this heavy debut album. Most songs will get you singing to the chorus from the first listen. The use of guitar solos are well played throughout each track. The album is filled with the horrific life facts of death, evil and bloodshed brutality. What better way is there to portray such morbid truths by the use of heavy metal? It would be great to see any of these songs performed live. Turn the volume up all the way, rock out and enjoy The Killer Angels by Civil War. Cryptic Rock gives this album 4 out of 5.
Written by, Zenae Zukowski
){kind=link}
No comment