ASTRAL DOORS „Astralism”

Genre – Power Metal
Country – Sweden
Website – www.astraldoors.com
Distrobution: http://www.kayosproductions.com/

In early 2002, Swedish musicians Joachim Nordlund and Johan Lindstedt, teamed up and decided to write some metal songs in the spirit of their old heroes Rainbow, Sabbath and Deep Purple. Johan and Joachim soon began producing the songs keeping to the same spirit of these bands that provided so much inspiration.

They completed the recordings of their debut-album “Of The Son And The Father” (in Japan released with a 
different title, “Cloudbreaker”), and the album garnered plenty of attention!

Not to be satified with their success, Astral Doors finalized their critically aclaimed 2nd opus “Evil Is Forever”, which was released in January 2005

By the end of 2005 the band had already completed their recordings for their next album title “Astralism”

With Astralism, Astral Doors serves up an infectious mix of classic hard rock/metal continuing to recall the glorious days of bands like Sabbath, Dio and Rainbow! Patrik Johansson, is a first-rate vocalist, ranking equally with Ronnie James Dio and/or Tony Martin. The bulk of the songs deal with the subject of religious mass confusion and charismatic religious leaders, who tend to deceive the people.

The songs are powerful, up-tempo head banging pieces with song titles such as “From Satan With Love”, “Raiders Of The Ark”, “Oliver Twist” and “The Green Mile”. From the very first bombastic chords, it is evident that Astralism is ready to rock. Driving, distorted guitars, pummeling drums, a Hammond organ, and a vocalist who sounds so similar to Dio (especially from his Sabbath and Rainbow days) it is
almost eerie at times, all kick the album into high gear. And from there it doesn't look back.

Astralism is an album for heavy metal purists. Dark, brooding lyrics dealing with the physical as well as the metaphysical fill the album. But rather than just revel in the darkness, the songs do have a lighter side, a sense of striving for a better world buried in the lyrics. This is very refreshing to hear, as it serves as an excellent balance.

Every song is a balls-to-the-wall metal tune. There may be an occasional acoustic guitar here and there, but 99% is just begging for some head-banging. The music is hard and heavy, but with an emphasis on melody. The presence of the Hammond is especially effective in uniting the melodic elements throughout each song. Likewise, vocalist Patrick Johansson walks the fine line between wailing and singing, his gravelly voice giving a sense of urgency to the music.

Some of the standout tracks are: “Apocalypse Revealed” is the closest the album gets to a real epic track, and this one is a winner. Clocking in at near 8 minutes, it is an excellent closer to the album. “Israel” effectively adds a multitude of voices, adding an emotional quality to the slower, dirge-like track. “Tears From a Titan” slowly warms you up with a Hammond intro before the songs really kicks in. “EVP” is a fast paced, driving track that starts the whole show off nicely.

Astralism is a very strong release, and will surely appeal greatly to those who are fans of solid, powerful, classic
heavy metal. The music is uncompromising, but nicely balances grit with melody. Fans of heavy metal owe it to themselves to check out Astral Doors and their brand of metal.

UPDATE: ASTRAL DOORS will re-release their third album, “Astralism”, as a digipack, featuring a newly written
bonus track, entitled “21st Century Medieval”. “The sound on the album has been polished and has been remastered by a profesional. This is how it was meant to sound from the beginning. Sounds insane but the first version slipped through without our approval. If we've had the last word the first version would never been released, that's for sure.”

note: 9/10

Tracklist

1. EVP
2. Black Rain
3. London Caves
4. From Satan With Love
5. Fire In Our House
6. Israel
7. Raiders Of The Ark
8. Tears From A Titan
9. Oliver Twist
10. Vendetta
11. The Green Mile
12. In Rock We Trust
13. Apocalypse Revealed
14. The Astral Friar (Bonus Japan)

Line-up

Nils Patrik Johansson (vocals)
Joachim Nordlund (guitar)
Martin Haglund (guitar)
Mika Itäranta (bass)
Jocke Roberg (keyboards)
Johan Lindstedt (drums)