So, Atreides, another power metal band. Why review a mediocre power metal band? To warn the newbies and upcoming artists against possible blunders. To show in which these blunders are built, how they are constituted and why is it that they suck so much. Playing according to a tradition in any subgenre of metal is not a sin itself, it is blind copying of ideas without any noticeable voice to set you apart what represents an insult to metal.
Atreides embodies everything that is wrong with most metal from Spain and Latin America: self referential music that is more concerned with appearances than with musical development. This is not limited to heavy and power metal, although these are the two most violated subgenres in those countries, but can even be applied to death and black metal from the same areas as well. The songs end up being paper-thin collections of tropes belonging to the subgenres they claim to adhere to. Despite their almost transparent epic metal guise, Atreides’ Cosmos has more in common with glam metal than it does with Candlemass or Iron Maiden.
Tags: 2015, Atreides, Cosmos, Heavy Metal, power metal
David, what do you think of Virgin Steele? If you’ve never heard of them, The Marriage of Heaven & Hell Part II is their best album, but the somewhat rock-ish Part I introduces the main theme used in this album and so is somewhat necessary for understanding the it. Truly one of the greats of power/heavy metal.
Should listen to it with more attention some time… I only gave them a few passing listens but somehow appeared to be more cheese than content… and this is coming from a fan of Rhapsody…
They do tend to have gushing moments of dramatic indulgence, but those tendencies are never for their own sake and tempered with rock solid compositional sensibilities.