EMERALD – Unleashed

EMERALD - Unleashed
  • 9/10
    EMERALD - Unleashed - 9/10
9/10

Summary

Pure Steel Records
Release date: August 24, 2012

Sending
User Review
0/10 (0 votes)

The Swiss Power Metal band Emerald is back with the follow up to their outstanding 2010 release Re-Forged. Unleashed is the band’s sixth full length album, and the second with the remarkable vocalist Thomas Winkler. Simply put, Unleashed is a persuasive powerhouse from start to finish. Their six man formula that consists of very strong and highly effective use of tandem guitars. They use a well-rooted source of ‘80s Classic Metal and blend a modern twist that is filled with energy and charisma.

The great thing about Unleashed is there isn’t one influential force that dominates the sound. This is a full collaborative band effort, and each component contributes to vibrancy of the final product. It begins with vocalist Thomas Winkler, who provides an energetic Bruce Dickinson-esque bellow that cements the core classic sound and drives each track. Additionally, the guitar team of Michael Vaucher and Manuel Werro play amazingly bright and resonant guitar riffs. Their sound never gets stale anywhere on the album and each track is exceptionally lively.

Compared to their previous album, there is one element that is very commendable and a definitive contribution; the high-flying drumming achievements of Alex Spicher. It’s actually reminiscent of the defining drum sounds on the Judas Priest – Painkiller album. Spicher’s playing style is quite eccentric, and almost pompous. Single-handedly he is able to make the drums a distinctive and crucial element to this album’s success.

Regarding the individual tracks, there are a couple that deserve high merit. The biggest stand out is “Eye Of The Serpent”, and features former Omen vocalist George Call. This not only certifies the classic authenticity of the band’s sound, but Call’s vocals are extremely fervent and passionate … they make this track such a huge standout. Another track of note is the very Blind Guardian-ish “Harleking.” This track features a more introspective Progressive sound from Emerald. It’s filled with some inspiring keyboard melodies, but the real catch is the middle section segue, which is a building crescendo chant that evolves into an amazing, fiery guitar solo.

Emerald truly proves on Unleashed they are a strong physical presence to be reckoned. The compositions are flawless. The tracks are full of diverse themes. The vocals are highly appealing, and the musicianship as a whole is monumental. There are bits and pieces of various genres as well; including Classic, Power, Progressive, Melodic, and hints of Thrash. Without question it is Emerald’s finest work to date, and this one should definitely put them on the map for good.

Author

  • Sean Meloy

    Sean Meloy was a reviewer, interviewer and DJ here at Metal Express Radio, based out of Iowa , USA. By day he is a straight laced, buttoned up, number crunching accountant; armed with his portable calculator. All other times he is a hard rocking Metal head! He spent many hours listening to records and 8-tracks with his father. Classic bands such as Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, Kansas, Led Zeppelin, and Eric Clapton just to name a few. His father bought him his first record, Kiss Alive II, at age 6. By the time he reached his teens he was discovering all the Classic Metal of the 1980’s; Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Twisted Sister, etc. He became a huge fan of the Thrash Metal of the time as well; Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Exodus, and Overkill. During the 1990’s he experimented with the Grunge and Hard Rock. However, by the time the millennium came he found himself going back to his roots and rebuilt the music collection he started in his teens.

    View all posts

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.