Imperium - MMX

One-man band from Canada Imperium issues its second release MMX of Iron Maiden-esque progressive metal that makes me honestly wonder why the guy has yet to be signed. Mainman Adarsh Rangayyan collects all the best elements of prog, metal and straight-away rock and mixes them to a fluid degree on his latest offering.

The opening track “March of the Legion” haunts with its acoustic entry, followed by a solid shred assault that certainly channels Maiden without reservation. When “Leviathan Rising” hits it’s a true metal bat-to-the-septum, thrashing out all over the place with intricate chords and some overt Dream Theater-like essence that easily sounds like some middle Metallica just between Master and Justice. Some very strong calls are made to the thrash era of heavy metal on MMX, which showcases Rangayyan’s prolific and multitalented prowess, handling all instruments himself. “The Fall of Olympus” sounds so much like Maiden’s “Hallowed Be Thy Name” at the end that it’s almost criminal, but a nice homage to days past.

This album could have easily been crafted in the early Eighties and been a classic, but here we are some twenty-five years later reveling in its brilliance today, and it is brilliant. I sincerely hope some label picks up Imperium soon.

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*Comments:

August 18, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

Release Date: 2010
Label: Band Self Released

TRACK LISTING

1.  March of the Legion
2.  Leviathan Rising
3.  The Fall of Olympus
4.  Eos and Phobos
5.  Charon’s Wrath
6.  Torn From Elysium
7.  Across the Styx
8.  Into the Pit of Tartarus

Total playing time:  51:12