Persuader - When Eden Burns

Power Metal
Dockyard 1
2006

1. Twisted Eyes
2. Slaves Of Labour
3. Sending You Back
4. R.S Knights
5. The Return
6. When Eden Burns
7. Judas Immortal
8. Doomsday News
9. Zion
10. Enter Reality

Vocalist Jens Carlsson has recently come to more success with his other band Savage Circus but long before he was associted with Blind Guardian's drummer... he was still doing his best Hansi Kursch. This one mark's Persuader's third album.

The Blind Guardian and Savage Circus comparisons are unavoidable so let's get those out there. The vocals are pretty well cloned of Hansi Kursch and the music does have a certain epic/fantasy vibe but at the same time there are notable differences. Persuader's music is much more direct, less bombastic, and on this album considerably darker than Blind Guardian. There's a very heavy & evil vibe throughout this album for a power sort of release and it ends up sounding pretty ballsy. The spoken intro into the heavy riff and dark underlying choral effect leading up to the first track is well done and sets up the album quite well. Throughout the album and especially in the first track the vocals also stray occasionally to a harsh scream which helps a bit to set the tone and vocals apart from the other bands mentioned.

This album succeeds at being quite heavy with an epic touch and the songs are enjoyably anthemic. I would recommend this to anyone who finds the idea of a darker, heavier, more direct Blind Guardian or Savage Circus. Really any fan of darker power metal might want to check this out.

Highlights: RS Knights, Judas Immortal, When Eden Burns

Rating - 3.0/5