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Morgana LeFay: Aberrations of the mind
15/05/07 || Euthanatos
Morgana LeFay. These guys have gone through an insane amount of line-up changes and they’ve even gone as far as changing their name… And then going back to Morgana LeFay again! Isn’t that something?
Concerning the music featured here, if there is one word for it, it is heavy. If you’ve never even heard of these Swedish whippersnappers, they play what most of us conveniently call Power Metal. Now, hang on, don’t run away just yet, because these guys actually have some balls, and aggressiveness isn’t something that is in any shortage here. Down tuned guitars, harsh vocals and overall kickassness have made Morgana LeFay a fan favorite for those who can no longer withstand the cheesiness of gaylords such as Sonata Arctica or Rhapsody of the Dragons of The Mystic Land of Fire and Doughnuts.
The new album shows a new high (or low, for that matter) in down tuning and aggressiveness. The levels of rage here are uncanny for an outfit of this musical genre. Thing is, what should be a good thing isn’t necessarily all that. I’ll explain. While the general attitude of the album taking a turn for the dark side of the force is refreshing, melody, such an important part of Morgana’s sound, is thrown to the wolves. If you’re a death metal act, fine, fire away, but if you’re powering through the metal, this becomes quite a problem.
Having said that, “The Rush of Possession”, the most melodic track here, truly shines more than the rest for exactly those reasons. “Delusions”, while lacking in melody, is also killer, the chorals on “Face of Fear” are extremely annoying, the thrashier “In Shadows I Reign” takes things up a notch again and there’s some fantastic guitar work in “Vultures Devouring”, as well as a fine and diverse performance from vocalist Mr. Charles Rytkönen.
All in all, “Aberrations of the Mind” reminds me of Symphorce’s latest album. Excellent band, decided to take being aggressive a little too far and kind of loses its way. But, truth be told, Morgana LeFay’s tenth studio album does get the upper hand.
The cover: Pretty cool, some saint-looking dude surrounded by scrawny demons. No harm done.
7.5 name changes out of 10.
- Information
- Released: 2007
- Label: Black Mark
- Website: www.morganalefay.se
- Band
- Charles Rytkönen: vocals
- Tony Eriksson: guitars
- Peter Grehn: guitars and backing vocals
- Fredrik Lundberg: bass and backing vocals
- Pelle Åkerlind: drums
- Tracklist
- 01. Delusions
- 02. Make a Wish
- 03. The Rush of Possession
- 04. Depression
- 05. Caught in a Tread Wheel
- 06. Reflections of War
- 07. Face of Fear
- 08. Where I Rule
- 09. In Shadows I Reign
- 10. Aberration of Mind
- 11. Vultures Devouring
- 12. Over and Over Again
- 13. Nightmares Are Made in Hell
