### Virus IV: Dark sun

#### 14/01/09 || Euthanatos

When I bought Ayreon’s 01011001, I had completely forgotten to watch the DVD that came as a bonus. One of these days, I decided to put it on and have a little fun watching how this great album was made. While having a few laughs and drooling of the beauty of the female singers, I was suddenly reminded how fucking badass a little miss called Magali Luyten sounded. I didn’t know much about her, and doing a quick interwebs search, found out she sang for a band called Virus IV. Yes, the name is terrible, but since her vocals were so good (reminded me of early White Skull, except better), I went for it anyway.

Virus IV has only one released album, it’s called “Dark Sun”, and it begins with the worst, most hilarious intro I have ever heard in my life. It’s supposed to be some kind of scientist trying to keep a deadly virus contained, yet the acting is so bad, and the guy has such an atrocious french accent, I nearly fell off my chair laughing, and I still giggle every time I listen to it. Other than that, Virus IV is no laughing matter. If you like your power metal with balls, which is ironic, since we’re talking about a female figure here, you better listen to “Dark Sun”. It’s heavy as fuck, and Magali not only shines, she is the queen fucking beast of power metal vocalists. Man, does this chick have pipes.

Every new song is a more pleasant surprise than the last. And the funny thing is, while undoubtedly power metal, Virus IV isn’t what you’d call a fast paced act. No, they aim much more for brutal heaviness, yet maintaining a surprising amount of melody, not falling for the traps in which Symphorce and Morgana LeFay so miserably fell in.

I truly hope Virus IV does not have the miserable fate of Beautiful Sin (another project Magali sang in), and continues releasing awesome shit like this. For a debut, this is already awesome, and considering the lengths these guys could go for, the potential here is scary.

The cover: At first, I thought it was childish, but it actually looks pretty good. A different style of illustration is always nice to behold.

7 motherfucking killer vocalists camouflaged as little girls out of 10.

- Information
- Released: 2008
- Label: Thundering Records
- Website: www.virus4.net
- Band
- Magali Luyten: vocals
- Samuel Arkan: guitars
- Renaut Van Oeyen: bass
- François Brisk: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Intro
- 02. Frightening Lanes
- 03. Behind Me
- 04. Dark Sun
- 05. New Karma
- 06. Signs
- 07. Such a Shame (Talk Talk cover)
- 08. Silent Arrows
- 09. The Last Time
- 10. Soulrace