Overmaster - Madness of War

Release Date: April 23rd, 2010
Label: Cruz Del Sur Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Walking Back to Hell
2.  Marble King
3.  Spartan Warriors
4.  Overlord
5.  Revolution World
6.  Jungle of Madness
7.  Nameless Hero
8.  Children of the Sand
9.  Battle Prayer
10.  Prophet of War
11.  Efialths

Total playing time:  58:38

April 14, 2010

Reviewer: The Stream

The power metal scene in Italy has been producing quality bands for over ten years. Notable acts include Rhapsody of Fire, Eldritch, Labyrinth, and many others. When I heard that Overmaster was releasing their debut album Madness of War this year I took interest. The album's purpose is to "illustrate the horrors of war" in different historical periods. As a student of history as well as a fan of Sabaton, I was further intrigued. One of the most notable accomplishments of the Hippie movement in the 1960s was the high volume of anti-war songs that were produced. On the other hand, power metal is known for containing themes that usually center around battles and glory (see Manowar's first album, Battle Hymns, for reference). Madness of War definitely stands alone as the only "Hippie Power Metal" album I have ever heard.

The album opens up in epic fashion with the instrumental "Walking Back to Hell," which is filled with synthesizers, harp flourishes, horse-trotting and automatic gunfire sound effects, as well as unintelligible sound bytes from someone British (maybe Churchill?). Definitely an odd way to open an album. The power metal begins shortly after with "Marble King" and "Spartan Warrior" which are both written about war in the Greek/Spartan era. Vocalist "Gus" Gustavo Adrian Gabarro's vocal style can be compared to that of an untrained Andi Deris. The instrumental skills of Overmaster compensate to an extent, though. Pino Sicari's riffing is simple yet solid, while his solo technique is heavily influenced by players like Roland Grapow and Karl Logan. The drummer, whose name is listed simply as "Carlos," plays a mean double bass.

Unfortunately the lyrics on Madness of War fell significantly short of my expectations, to put it lightly. Completely incoherent verses were commonplace throughout the album. The first two verses of "Spartan Warriors" read: "Wild side of damn lines/really child of demons/Wait for some crush and burn/Here we cry now/Ice cold our/Rise!/To get what you want/". I'm not sure who is responsible for the songwriting duties on Madness of War. but it is safe to say that he or she should work on his or her grasp of the English language. Writing music that is based on historical events requires the ability to retell said events coherently and effectively. Another track that stood out for its shortcomings was "Nameless Hero," the power metal ballad of the album. The press kit indicated that the song was about the "Malvinas/Falklands War," i.e. the attempted invasion of the Falkland Islands by the Argentinian military dictator, in which the British summarily defeated the Argentinians within a short amount of time. No mention whatsoever is made of the Falkland Islands in the entire song. The closest the song gets to describing the islands is the last verse, which reads "You stayed there in that hell/Land of fire and ice/Vigil for our sister earth". 

Overmaster's attempt of creating a new sub-genre of power metal with Madness of War was hardly a success. The instrumental strengths that the members of this band bring to the table show that Overmaster might have the potential to be a quality Italian power metal band some day far in the future, but only if they get a new singer, change their lyrical direction, and get someone who speaks English fluently to write their songs.

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