Pyramaze's follow-up to 2004's Melancholy Beast is one hell of a strong melodic progressive metal platter. Legend of the Bone Carver is a concept album of the highest quality, with rich lyrical content, stunning instrumentation, and the soaring vocals of Lance King, who will be no stranger to those familiar with bands like Balance of Power, Shining Star, and Avian. While King's vocals are at the forefront of Pyramaze's music, this six-piece ensemble really has all their stuff down pat. Guitarists Michael Kammeyer and Toke Skjonnemand provide plenty of metal riffs and blazing solos, keyboard player Johan Weingarten adds in sumptuous symphonic textures and lead lines, and the rhythm team of bassist Niels Kvist and drummer Morten Gade Sorensen provide the rock solid foundation.The end result is a classy and epic journey that reeks of catchy melodies and complex & sophisticated instrumental arrangements.
While many progressive and power metal bands struggle to get that fine balance between chops and memorable melodies, there are no such problems here on Legend of the Bone Carver. Tunes like "What Lies Beyond" and "Ancient Worlds Within" soar with tight playing and hooks and melodies that are impossible to ignore. If you like speedy and crunchy guitar muscle with sweeping synths, look no further than "Souls in Pain" and "The Bone Carver", each filled with enough musical firepower and aggression to satisfy the most ardent power metal follower. Many of the songs have that great mix of technical expertise, heavy riffs, symphonic keys, and soaring vocals, that Kamelot have perfected so well over the years, and Pyramaze do it just as well. Lance King is in fine form throughout, whether he is delivering classy narrations like on "Blood Red Skies" or passionate and emotional passages as he does on the balled "She Who Summoned Me". If he keeps this up you will start to hear him being mentioned in the same breath as singers like Geoff Tate, Tobias Sammet, Jorne Land, Roy Khan, and the like.
In summary, Legend of the Bone Carver is a stunning and powerful release. If you weren't impressed by Pyramaze's debut (and I can't imagine anyone who wasn't) then take a listen to this one, and prepare to be knocked over by some of the best progressive and power metal that you might hear all year.
Track Listing
1) Era of Chaos
2) The Birth
3) What Lies Beyond
4) Ancient Words Within
5) Souls in Pain
6) She Who Summoned Me
7) The Bone Carver
8) Bring Back Life
9) Blood Red Skies
10) Tears of Hate
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