Album number three from these Swedish Metallers, Reveal No Secrets turns out to be one of those genuine surprise releases that more than surpasses expectations. A new name to myself I undertook some cursory research that led me to believe they sat squarely in the Extreme Metal camp and the band photos in the booklet does nothing to dispel this notion. But just a couple of minutes in to opening number "Loss of Liberty" and it is clear that what we have hear is a band that are literally hammering at the gates of the Prog / Power Metal genre and with Reveal No Secrets they have delivered an album that deserves to be embraced as such. Sure, man mountain vocalist Teddy Moller looks so menacing that he could eat Mikael Akerfeldt for breakfast and does plenty of growling but his more melodic side is a real delight and draws favourable comparison with Geoff Tate and Rob Rock, notably on the outstanding "Dig Deeper" and "Uncompassion".
Musically the band display their technical prowess and in particular the subtle keyboards of Fredrik Klingwall really do complement the heavy riffs and shredding solos from Moller and Niklas Kupper. Lyrically there is a recurring theme of conspiracy theories and loss of civil liberties that hints at a loose concept. Tight arrangements and a real consistency about the songwriting suggest that with album number three Loch Vostok have really found their groove. Hailing from Scandinavia they will always draw comparisons with their counterparts but is they continue with the musical direction shown on Reveal No Secrets then this should certainly help broaden their appeal. Well worth checking out.
Track Listing
01. Loss of Liberty
02. Energy Taboo
03. Dig Deeper
04. Uncompassion
05. Thirty Years
06. Raiders of the Lost Heart
07. Blindfolds Off
08. What Once Was
09. Breakthru
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