AxenStar
Perpetual Twilight

Listening to this "Perpetual Twilight" is like listening to a mix between Helloween, Sonata Arctica, Nightwish but especially the old albums of Stratovarius, the same technique, the same style.

Double bass drums, choirs, technical choruses, and lots of cheerful metallic melody, fast and powerful. Since I have a great affection for the aforementioned Finnish band, I will speak well of 'Axenstar', a Swedish band composed of 5 members including Magnus Eriksson who acts as both keyboardist and vocalist. Two guitars, those of Peppe Johansson (possibly related to Jean of Strato?) and Thomas Eriksson, with Pontus Jansson on drums and Maguns Ek on bass.

The album is from 2002, and it's the first of only three CDs in their current discography, which suggests that the band has talent because it's remarkable that such a good work like this could be the pinnacle of a future of success, or at least I wish the band success, as this studio work has really pleased me. [Note that 'Axenstar' collaborated with 'Helloween' on creating "Keeper Of Jericho 2"]. I'm happy because a fan of Stratovarius, a true fan, will certainly have been disappointed by how things turned out with Tolkki's band, so listening to this 'Perpetual' by 'Axenstar' feels like going back and discovering an album by Strato that we didn't know existed and had overlooked.

Of course, the precise resemblance to a famous band with a famous past can seem to many a ruthless imitation or a superfluous copy of pieces already heard, but on the other hand, "melodic speed" should be considered a separate genre from "Power Metal", and the technical speed inserted within melodic and mystical backgrounds, wrapped in solos and choirs, is music, music that I love, and that I always listen to with pleasure. Moreover, the similarity to the most famous Finnish power band is a technical similarity, a similarity of style, almost an inspiration, it is obvious then that in 'Axenstar' the voice is not Kotipelto's, nor is the guitar Tolkki's, but the structure of the songs is quite similar. In short, these 'Axenstar' are good, there's no denying it.

The fantasy-adventurous atmosphere is somewhat set aside in favor of another more Celtic-mystical context. The album is enjoyable to listen to, it is very fluid and does not contain any substantial heavy lapses that might even slightly irritate listening, the songs flow because even if they are somewhat heard before in other bands, they are fresh and loaded, pleasant and atmospheric. The style of the two voices in the choruses and powerful verses plays a great role. But if you hate the overemphasized presence of keyboards, then it is wise to avoid listening. "All I Could Ever be", a fantastic piece focused on a vaguely Celtic melody with a drum gallop and smooth, dynamic solos, a very nice chorus with wonderful choirs. In "The Cross We Bare", the two guitars play on synchronisms and draw a very catchy heavy power rhythm. With "King Of Tragedy" it is the moment for a beautiful melancholy but fast song, with very satisfying riffs and very evocative solos while "Enchantmen" relies on verses sung in a very catchy and (possibly too) easily impactful manner, the same can be said of "New Revelations", in which, however, the melancholic melody is more emphasized. After "Secrets Revealed", which consists of three minutes of classical guitar plucking drawing a very relaxing and sad picture, follows "Confess Thy Sins" aggressive and with many classic solos, and then concludes with the title track "Perpetual twilight" which is very loaded and aggressive but also sweet and melodic.

A CD that may particularly appeal to power fans, not to be taken too seriously as it doesn't offer anything new either on a technical level or in general.