EVIL MASQUERADE

THEATRICAL MADNESS
Release: Apr. 25. 2004 - Frontiers
'Theatrical Madness' is the aptly entitled 2nd album from Danish Symphonic "Theater" Metal band which features ex-ROYAL HUNT singer Henrik Brockmann. Following the motto "never change the winning team" the band made it once again to welcome 2 keyboard wizards, namely Andrè Andersen and Richard Andersson, for a guest appearance. Plus, a new talented face Mikkel Jensen (CIRCUS MIND) also took part in this keyboard solo-show-offs on one song (Mikkel officially joined the band in February 2005).
Musically the band stay true to their own style they created on the debut record and it's symphonic, epic, neo-classically influenced European heavy metal. The Danes still keep the sonic impact and freaky image, but they take the entire musical sound into a slightly straightforward direction by tightening up the songwriting. Even without relying on the speedy double bass and excessive effect decoration, they deliver powerful performance with textured riffs, complicated rhythms and multiple vocals which reminded me of NARITA more or less (anyone remember them?). Their interpretation of layering melodies and harmonies à la QUEEN works brilliant as well.
A few lines to the guest soloing of Andrè Andersen on track 3 "Bozo The Clown": this keyboard solo is out of this world. Amazing phrases and almost revolutional sound. Worth a listen!
Overall this is a nicely performed piece of "Masquerade Metal" that should please many listeners of the style who want something different from the casual attempt at metal music. Last but not least: the band are still good at making it all a SHOW!
Reviewed by mailto:masa@21stcenturymetal.net?Subject=Album Review
11 Tracks / 45:33 Minutes
More Info at: http://www.evilmasquerade.com/
WELCOME TO THE SHOW
Release: Apr. 05. 2004 - Frontiers Records
EVIL MASQUERADE is a brand new symphonic metal band formed by a guitarist Henrik Flyman (ex-MOAHNI MOAHNA, WUTHERING HEIGHTS). He gathered up some known names such as a young bassist Kasper Gram (ex-WUTHERING HEIGHTS, MANTICORA), a brilliant double-bass kicker Dennis Buhl (SINPHONIA) and ex-ROYAL HUNT singer Henrik Brockmann.
As the band name already suggests, the music they're playing is very much theatrical and has some very strong classical roots. As the band features the original singer of ROYAL HUNT and 2 members related to WUTHERING HEIGHTS, I thought their style would be somewhere between neo-classical metal and bombastic folk power metal, but the result here is more like symphonic metal with gorgeous show-offs and nimble rhythms. Vocal performance by Henrik Brockmann is simply splendid and creates strange yet fun atmosphere effectively. With a great help from guest keyboardists such as Mats Olausson (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN etc.), Richard Andersson (TIME REQUIEM etc.) or Andrè Andersen (ROYAL HUNT), the band are also very successful in finalizing their masquerade metal with some splendour melody and technical passages.
Classical or theatrical or whatever it is, rest assured that EVIL MASQUERADE convinced me of their total presentation. Band name, album title, cover artwork, make-ups and music... everything goes together hand in hand here and realise a persuasive musical "Freak Show". Now enjoy the theatre
Reviewed by mailto:masa@21stcenturymetal.net?Subject=Album Review
11 Tracks / 46:02 Minutes
More Info at: http://www.evilmasquerade.com/

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