Let me introduce them: it`s a four-piece band from Hamburg (Germany) formed in 1998. They are: Henning Basse (outstanding vocals), Matthias Lange (well done guitar work), Lars Ratz (pumping bass) and the newcomer Michael Ehre (thundering drums). Their debut "Millennium Metal - Chapter One" 1999 has deserved the steadfast attention and laudatory responses of critics. With the next releases "State of Triumph - Chapter Two" and "Hero Nation - Chapter Three" they continued their mystic concept and exciting storyline of the adventures of the main character Metalian travelling through different reincarnations and times. And all this was fixed by the mind-blowing creativity, sense of humor, tasteful complexity of a mix of traditional heavy metal and classical orchestration (but not too much of it), the mystery of keyboards and fantastic vocal arrangements. Now it`s time for a new part of the concept - in contrast to Metalian, his female counterpart Metaliana enters the story. She also travels through the Gorgone Medusa cave, meets Pandora and Athena (the goddess of art) - and other different female archetypes of mankind, ancient and mysterious. All this accompanied by Metalian from whom she is separated, but telepathically connected. And this mystical connection will lead them to the unity at the end AS ONE. The music ideas are as smart as the concept. They use heavy riffs and power metal guitar melodies as a base, and add to that: wonderful airy orchestrations and mysteriously atmospheric, somewhat gentle, somewhat dazzling, keyboards (featured legendary Don Airey from Rainbow, Ozzy Osebourn, Whitesnake, Deep Purple), plus the specific vocal manner of Henning Basse.

I will not describe the guitars or drums in detail - the whole here is much more important than the elements. The same concerns the tracks. The opener "Warrior" feels like the continuation of main ideas of Iron Maiden - a development, not repeating; "Pain Crawls Through The Night", "Screaming In The Darkness", "Power Strikes The Earth" "As One" are prompt power metal hymns; the mid-tempo 12 minutes "Illuminated" is an epic opus, which powerful and transcendental energy reminds of the gloomy Black Sabbath vibes. And it all is a whole complete story told by the music. Yes, they have all the right things to become the new heavy metal heroes - they also look really metal and have metal attitudes: stone cold faces, long hair, leather and denim. But don`t you put them into the same category as a number of metal bands, which play the same old song with different-but-not-so-varied lyrics and with nothing behind their heavy metal image. No, Metalium has an inspiration! They have new ideas and abilities for a whole metal opera; know how to work with harmonies and arrangements. They have serious intentions and with German accuracy and methodicalness have worked out an excellent album that will have a worthy place in your collection if you search for good stuff, even if it`s not the music style you usually prefer.