Architects of Chaoz are a new band comprised of some old friends, namely ex-Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno and his longtime German touring-band The Phantomz. The League of Shadows is their debut for Metalville Records, and I'll be blunt, it's a hell of a lot of fun. Going in, I honestly didn't have very high expectations, but the guys have put together a CD that packs a lot of energy and really delivers everything a solid metal album is supposed to. Di'Anno is at the top of his game, screaming and snarling up a storm throughout raging metal barnburners like "Rejected", the Maiden inspired "Horsemen" & "Erase the World", thrashy "When Murder Comes to Town", or the heavy bump & grind of "Obsidian Black". There's a punk vibe to the speed metal frenzy of "You've Been Kissed By The Wings Of The Angel Of Death" that will bring you back to the glory days of the NWOBHM, and I think that's part of the charm of this entire album. Di'Anno & Co. (Joey Siedl – Guitar, Andy Ballnus – Guitar, Christoph Lücker – Bass, and Dominik Fox - Drums) have taken us all back to 1982, but with modern day production techniques. Twin harmony guitar riffing & soloing can be heard throughout the album along with those galloping rhythms, which will certainly please Di'Anno's fans from his early days in Iron Maiden. "Apache Falls" and "How Many Times" contain those early speed metal elements along with a smattering of prog, while the moodier "Switched Off (Released)" and "Architects Of Chaoz" allow Di'Anno to settle in and show off his still effective melodic vocal style.
A surprising take on the Deep Purple classic "Soldier of Fortune" rounds out this very strong debut from a band that will surely turn more than a few heads. For those of you wondering what Paul Di'Anno has been up to the last few years, make sure you give this a listen.
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1. Rejected
2. How Many Times
3. Horsemen
4. Switched Off (Released)
5. Erase The World
6. Dead Eyes
7. Architects Of Chaoz
8. When Murder Comes To Town
9. Obsidian Black
10. You've Been Kissed By The Wings Of The Angel Of Death (CD bonus track)
11. Apache Falls
12. Soldier Of Fortune (CD bonus track)
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