MetaliuM
Millennium Metal: Chapter One

THE REVIEW

Dusting off some old CDs that I've barely listened to, I pull out this album by Metalium, which I bought for only 5 euros at a used CD stall. I only listened to it the day I bought it and maybe two or three other times.

I'm correcting my mistake; the CD now goes into the case with those I listen to regularly.

Yes, because the cover of "Smoke On The Water" by Deep Purple is simply awesome. Shards of futuristic sounds, a heavy and granite-like drum, a guitar that shreds the background like a machine gun massacre, a bass similar to a barrage of lashes. Take the original "Smoke On The Water", increase its aggression to 100, add some thrash metal backgrounds, and here is what the Metalium version sounds like in Millennium Metal Chapter One. Solos, riffs, and instrumental pieces of excellent heavy metal accompany the world's most famous rock riff (that of "Smoke On The Water"), and then at the end, a great little lesson on how to merge heavy and thrash for a final break. This song is worth the entire CD.

As for the rest, what can I say? About Metalium, I only know that they have quite a few albums and that magazine reviewers speak well of them. Indeed, in this case, the impression is very good. Metalium essentially produces a classic German power metal.
But German, so beware, you won't find dragon-like symphonies but rather a fast, aggressive heavy metal with incursions of healthy thrash. This particular version by Metalium is then personalized in a semi-scientific atmosphere, a cross between a classic context and a spatial, robotic one, as noted from the artwork and the design of the bootleg depicting a half-man, half-robot warrior armed with a laser sword emerging from a portal overlooking the present-day metropolis where he has conducted looting and raids.

A CD that I recommend listening to, but beware, you won't find anything innovative or original since the genre in question is a classic German-origin power metal which remains as such, not proposing anything truly special other than excellent technical skill.
Speed, ferocity, and choruses tending towards the melodic are the recipe for all the songs.

This album isn't the best, and it's not a must-have at all costs. However, it's well-played and thus can delight many eardrums.