Label: Lion Music
Review by Tony Cannella
I would be willing to bet that the new album by the Italian power metal band MasterCastle is one of the first concept albums dealing with “Metals”. As you can tell by the song titles that makes up their newest outing “On Fire”, that is exactly what they have done. When you think about it though, how much more metal can you get than doing a concept album based around well… metal. “On Fire” also happens to be the best album of MasterCastle’s career. For this album the line-up has been completed by John Macaluso (formerly of Yngwie, Ark, etc. etc.) and he is a huge addition to the band. Also, there is no shortage of flashy, lightning quick guitar playing courtesy of Pier Gonella, you add in soaring lead vocals from Giorgia Gueglio and it all adds up to powerful album.
The opening track, “Silver Eyes” is a soaring slice of guitar nirvana, whilst the next track “Chains” has a more subdued, heavier feel to it with a grinding guitar riff. The opening to “Platinum” kind of reminded me of Van Halen and the song evolves into a melodic, bouncy metal track. Melody is something that “On Fire” has in spades and guitarist Pier Gonella is a potential guitar hero, something that the metal world is lacking these days. Other highlights include: “Quicksilver” (with a guitar solo that reminiscent of Yngwie Malmsteen in his prime), “Gold Violet” (a cool ballad) and “Leaden Roads”. With each album, MasterCastle manages to surpass their previous one and with “On Fire”, that trend continues. One question though, how are they going to top this one?
Rating – 90/100
Tracklist
- Silver Eyes
- Chains
- Platinum
- Quicksilver
- Gold Violet
- The Final Battle
- Leaden Roads
- Titanium Wings
- Almost a Fantasy
Line Up
- Giorgia Gueglio – Vocals
- Pier Gonella – Guitars
- Steve Vawamas – Bass
- John Macaluso – Drums
Links